Day 5 - Narbonne to Servian

Dave called this morning with a brief report on Day 5. The weather continues to be in their favor, but the roads are not always as well marked ... or as Dave said well read.... as one might hope. This slows their progress, but hopefully adventure is in the ride, not the destination. There were no mechanical failures today --- no flat tires. They had lunch in a tiny town... no one was remembering the name, but it was an excellent lunch. They planned to have bread and cheese for lunch, but instead enjoyed a lovely meal. Dave said his lunch came to 13 E, which is not bad for an excellent French meal.

It is Tuesday night in France and they rolled into Serivan and located a Gite to spend the night. Gites are the French version of a Bed and Breakfast and are usually charming places in rural areas of France. Gites are always an adventure and you meet some interesting people.

Here is a link to Gites de France --- It is a map.
http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/rural_gites/search_using_a_map

Rural gîtes / Search using a map

You can type in Servian and it will take you to a green marker, click on that marker and it lists 4 Gites. I am not sure which they picked, but it must be in town since Dave hopes to find internet and call on Skype before heading to bed.

Lynne

Day 4 -- Onwards from Narbonne

The bikers headed out today away from the French coastline. There was the challenge of several flat tires on Day 4, which slowed the pace. The weather continues to be quite pleasant and warm.
Day 5- The route today is headed towards Montagnac.... I talked with Dave just as he was going to bed - Monday night his time, and assume all went well today and I will post when I have more to share.
Here are links with maps and photos of their route.

Narbonne France

Montagnac
France

Lynne

Day 3 -- Pyrenees -- Coll Banyuls + changing a flat tire

Dave had been looking for a route over the Pyrenees that was manageable and found one in a biker's blog. He was unable to see the route on google maps, but was able to see the sign that pointed towards Col Banyuls.. I can only imagine how fun it was to actually be at the sign. Dave shared that the road surface on the Spanish side for the climb was excellent as was the actually decent into France. The decent included 180 degree hairpin turns! Then the road got pretty rough and broken up for part of the distance. They only saw about 20 cars on the road today. Dave had expected an easy ride on to the coast, but the bikers had a couple more steep climbs before arriving at Argeles sur Mer and their hotel.

Off the Pyrenees

Dave at the bottom of Coll Banyuls

Day 4 they will head towards Narbonne, France. This is about 50 miles and they are not sure where they will spend the night, it depends on if the wind is at their backs.

Here is an email from Dave with a couple of photos:

The descent off the Col Banyuls was about 15 per cent grade (that is really steep). We were going very fast when I heard a sound like a shot behind me. It was Jim's tire blowing out because of the heat from braking so much. So here he is changing it.

Lynne

Day 2- part 2

It is 6:30 am in Figueres Spain and the bikers are just getting up to begin Day 3. Dave called to share a little more about Day 2. Thankfully it was much less eventful than Day 1. The route over the Pyrenees seems to be working well. Their climb is similar to going from the waterfront in Portland over the west hills.. not bad about 1,300 feet. Day 2 took them through beautiful poppy field and a few small towns. Today they will be climbing before a decent into the town of Argeles-sur-Mer France. About 60 KM -- or 40 miles.
Here is a link for map and photos.

Argelès-sur-Mer
France

Lynne

Day 2 - Girona to Figueres

Dave and the Tres Amigos: Dave is biking with his good friend Greg Mowe, Greg’s former law partner Joe Dean and Greg’s brother-in-law Jim Fisher. Greg and Dave biked from Santa Monica to Boston in 2000 and want to relive the experience and adrenaline high with a new twist. The trip was to begin with a 100 km day, but ended after 25 miles of biking with a train ride instead.

First the medical update: Greg is doing fine, though understandable sore, and was able to ride. He was doing much better than Lance Armstrong who had to drop out of the Tour de California after his fall.

On Day 2 the guys road 35 miles on good road and were off to enjoy a beer when Dave was able to make a quick call on Skype at 7:00 am Portland time. The weather sounds beautiful, maybe even a little warm. I will hope to post more about Day 2 when Dave calls next.
Here is a link to Google with a map and photos from Figueres.

Figueres Spain

Lynne

Day 1 : First 25 miles

Update for Day 1: Report from Girona -- Getting out of Barcelona, even on bike paths was a challenge in rush hour. Not long after leaving town the route took them near the ocean for great scenery. All was going smoothly even though they needed to rejoin the highway, until about 25 miles out when Greg and a hole in the road came in contact. Greg’s wheel froze and he went head first over his bike – landing on his face. IMMEDIATELY, there was an ambulance checking with the bikers… followed by 5 policemen, and two more ambulances -- with sirens! Greg has some scrapes on his face, but Dave reports that everyone is doing fine. The guys decided to have lunch, at a paella restaurant recommended by one of the policemen, and then they took the train on into Girona. Currently they are enjoying a drink and catching their breaths after an eventful first day out.

Greg post-fall

Joe's bent chain ring -- damaged in transit -- luckily parts were available for a repair before the ride began

Lynne

Safe and Sound in Barcelona

Dave and friends arrived and have been busy getting their bikes in order after one of the folding bikes was damaged in transit. The suitcases/box for the bikes have been mailed to Amsterdam and the bikers are ready to take off Friday morning from downtown Barcelona. Dave had a glass of wine with one of our exchanged students, and Myriam provided the necessary details for leaivng Barcelona by bike... an important detail. Photos will be added as available.

The adventure begins!!!

Lynne