Pedaling-- Pas Mal

catching up... tales of our trip working backward

So the last morning we had a smaller group-- Merrell, David, Ted, Jill, and Karen with several more of the trip folks. This was to be our "cool down"... Which is true if a 2.6 km climb is how you cool down! Most of the group scampered up as 2.6 is "like a piece of fun" , and I made it to the top with a walk and ride approach. We were traversing some of the most visually stunning countryside imaginable, and started at 7:45 so had a more diffuse and lovely light. The countryside was planted in grapes and sunflowers. We even saw a field being harvested by hand!

Most of us then headed to Bedoin, a town at the foothills of Mont Ventoux that "exists for the bicyclers ." ( quotes are the guides ) we rode a "false flat" for several kilometers.... And that news delighted me in retrospect as it was discouraging to work so hard on what looked flat but was a gradual uphill. The end point was a bike shop where many Mont Ventoux items were purchased.

Then it was a speedy return to the hotel for petit dejeuner, showers, ATM, aurevoir to Alex and Dom, and on the bus to Avignon. 

Provence is Romantic

Made it to the Top!

Every town, or at least it seems like every town in Provence is built on a hill. Makes sense - people in the middle ages wanted to protect themselves from invaders and from cyclers in the 21st century. OK, so we invaded on two wheels. Lots of Hill Toppers here!

Petangue, a drinking game

A very serious game.

"Today we begin weeth a leetle bump."

So off we went up 4 km !  The guides, Alexandre and Dominic tell us a it isnt a hill until it's 8 km....
We soldiered up, enjoyed the ride down and then stopped to visit the sanitorium in St. Remy de Provence where Van Gogh lived for a year-- producing 180+ paintings. 

That was a nice break, then back on the bikes for 17 km to an olive oil mill for a demonstration and some retail therapy.  Our group happily contributed to the cause purchasing olive oil, tapenade and various beauty products made of olive oil.  Then we enjoyed a yummy lunch in the olive grove. 

After lunch came a decision point-- turn left and head back to the hotel for a 28 mile ride?  or turn right to visit the Abbey de Fergoli for a 44 mile ride?  We happily sorted ourselves...

Craig with his angels, Edith, Danny and Jill after a long hard day of riding.

The group who did the longer route loved seeing a beautiful abbey on the hillside, and a great ride back to the hotel, 15-25 mph winds notwithstanding.

I will leave it to someone else to describe the petanque...

A great day in the Alpilles

Today we cycled 40+ miles in the Alpines Mountains, south of Avignon. Beautiful weather, good roads and super friends.

The photo shows why we climb hill. That is where the best views are. 5 km out, here is out view.

Jill met a special friend Vincent. Quite a charming friend, even if a bit mixed up.

Several stars on the Hill Climb. Merrell, Mary Gwen, Karen and David

Merrell and Mary celebrated their trip to the top!

Mary was enjoying one of her favorite foods, fresh Figs!

It was our first full day, but a super one. Tonight we rest and tomorrow we have 50 miles in front of us. More to come.

20 miles in the rain; but it didn't matter that it was cold and wet, because we are in Provence, and olive trees, cypress, and centuries-old houses are in every view. We are in group of 18 from Louisville, LA, Denver, Charlotte, and Utah. Two tres bonne guides, vin and good food - what more could we ask for?

C'est fantastique

Day one

This is out of order, but...
Day one...our flights were both a bit early and we connected at CDG with out issue. Got the rental car and with Craig behind the wheel we set out for Bayeux. We had to make a few U turns, (and Craig and Merrell engaged in some ritual bickering, supplemented by Karen's back seat driving) but once on the A3, we were buzzing right along.

Arrived at the Chateau Sully, then went into town to a brasserie for lunch, and to get Craig's and Karen's phones fixed.

Then Karen and Merrell went to see the Bayeux tapestry, while Craig napped. The tapestry is 70 feet long, the biggest sampler you have ever seen. Love the story of William the conquerer, and I thought the borders were as beautiful as the primary tapestry.
We had dinner in town, at la coline d'enzo. Yummy, particularly the chocolate mousse desssert with Caramel.

We then congratulated ourselves on staying awake all day-- discounting the 5 winks during the tapestry movie-- and turned in!

The scope and scale are amazing

Craig, Merrell and I spent the day with our tour guide, Katherine, touring the D-Day beaches.

 The enormity of losses, the complexity of the planning and logistics, the incredible leadership and courage of the young men who were our childrens'current ages made for an incredible and memorable day.

We visited both the German and American cemetery. The German cemetery is very small with two men in each grave. It is very understated, and a somber reflection of the loss of life on both sides.

There is a peace and reconciliation organization that is planting trees there in memory of the soldiers. They are planted in an allee very beautifully. Merrell found this to be the more appropriate of the two cemeteries. Craig and Karen respectfully disagreed. (is anyone surprised to find Craig and Merrell on the opposite sides of an argument?)

The American cemetery is a place of both reverence and beauty. There are crosses for over 9000 mean and 4 women who died in the war.

We were there for the lowering of the flag and the playing of taps. It was an eerie echo of the taps we heard at Bill's funeral on Tuesday in honor of his service in World War 2.

And even in Normandy Craig was able to find a taasting room....for calvados apple brandy,
which we had to buy.

And so it begins

The bags are packed, the out of office message is turned on.  Postings soon from France!