Day 14: Beaune to Dijon

Dave left a quick message today, since he had no Skype access. The day went well with some good size hills between Beaune and Dijon --- there was a 1,400 foot hill to climb. The day got a little hot but they that spent part of it along a canal on the way to Dijon. Tomorrow, Saturday, they plan to take a train out of Dijon --- it is a big enough city, it is hard to find a direct way out by bike and then head on to Langres for Saturday night. Everyone is feeling fine and there was no message about headwinds... good news for all.

Day 13 Chalon sur Saone to Beaune - 34 miles

Thursday, June 3
The bikers are battling with HEADWINDS --- and it is not fun. Dave said at points they even need to pedal to go down hill. It was a pretty day biking about 34 miles along canals and tree shaded paths. They especially had problems with the wind during the last 12 miles while riding through vineyards. Today's route took them through Santenay, Montrachet and a bunch of other famous wine towns.
They are realizing that many of the other bikers on the road are heading South Barcelona. The shorter day allows for wine tasting and planning what options they might have to avoid the strong winds.
The first 16 miles were along this canal... very picturesque

Lynne

Day 12: Macon to Chalon sur Saone - 50 mile day!

The fearless bikers discovered a bike path that leads towards Beaune and spent Tuesday on a mostly flat route, with no cars. It was looking like a rainy day, but once they actually got started there was low clouds, but no rain or wind. It took the guys a little while to discover where the route actually began in Macon and then there were some climbs along the way. Pictures below show the entrance and mile-long tunnel the guys road though on Tuesday. They choose not to climb up to the hilltop town of Taize but did see it from a distance. Wednesday they will follow the bike path on to Beaune and spend the remainder of the day as a “Biker’s Planning Day” and do some wine tasting in Burgundy. They want to look ahead over the next two weeks and figure out how best to bike /train (as needed) on to Amsterdam.

Entrance to mile-long tunnel near Taize
View from inside the tunnel
45-mile bike path with no cars!

Lynne

Day 11 -- Valance to Macon

An email message from Dave:

We got tired of all the big trucks so we took the train through Lyon to Macon where we are staying at the Ibis hotel in Creche sur Soane. We have found a Bike path through Burgundy that starts here and goes about 45 miles toward Beaune. We may stop in Taize along the way to see what we can. Weather is still rather cold and quite windy. Looks like more rain tomorrow and then some improvement.

Dave

Also here are a couple of photos from our bikers:
The great chefs from the amazing dinner in Viviers

Greg enjoying a well-earned beer after the 45 mile day with a headwind.

Lynne

Day 10: Viviers to Valence 45 miles with a HEADWIND

The guys sent along photos from the "Best dinner ever" in Viviers France. And a few details from today's tough ride. The guys biked through the rain Monday morning and had a really big headwind for the afternoon. It was a long 45 mile day and they were glad to be done and just leaving for a beer. They are staying in Valence and as Dave puts it the hotel reminds him of the barracks at Fort Knox Army days.
More post to come with the next Skype phone call.


Lynne

Day 9 --- A post from Dave for Sunday and Day 10 Rain/Wind on Monday

Sent form Dave's IPhone on Monday
We left Avignon about 8:15 Sunday and crossed the Rhone River with a great view of the Avignon Bridge. We were doing well until Greg got a flat tire in the rear wheel (by far the harder one to fix). After that repair we took a nice path to Orange where we saw the 2,000 year old Arc de Triumph
Total of 51 miles

Were afraid we would not find a hotel and we were beat. Found beautiful hotel but it did not serve dinner on Sunday usually. The owner said she would make us a light meal. He husband is a big time chef. She gave us tapinade, home made pate with home made bread, eight or ten cheeses from local farms, salad, omelet, fresh strawberries with ice cream and baked merangue. Great end to a long day

Le Pontiac d'Avignon


Arch de Triumph in Orange

Today, Monday -- rain and strong wind in our face. It is noon and we have gone 15 very hard miles.
Dave

Day 9 Avignon to Viviere a 51 mile Day!!

Sunday, May 30

The guys made it well beyond expected to a very small town, with one hotel, North of Bollene. They ended up in a little town with one hotel owned by a chef --- Dave reported that the chef and his wife prepared an excellent meal for the tried bikers. Our longest riding day so far. Lynne

A note from Greg with more details --
Over 50 miles from Avignon to Viviere. The accommodations are much more sparse in Provence north of Avignon, and most businesses are closed on Sunday. We rode through Orange with the original Arc d' Triumph built by the Romans.

We rode further than our original destination, so found ourselves riding through two towns with no accomodations. Started getting nervous around 3 pm. Came across a beautiful small hotel/restaurant run by a couple. They were not open for Sunday dinner, but the wife made us a fabulous meal. Every time we expressed our gratitude she brought out more food. All homemade. Tapenade, green salad, pickles, onions, cheese plate, bread, omelette, three desserts (including fresh strawberries and ice cream).

Enjoying the best dinner ever!!!
Fresh strawberries and amazing desserts

Eight kinds of cheese!!
Lynne