Back in Paray Le Monial: An easy relaxing day - Following Rivers and Pilgrim Trails from Zurich now Dawdling around France - CycleBlaze

August 27, 2016

Back in Paray Le Monial: An easy relaxing day

What an easy trip it seemed today we just glided along enjoying the scenery. We were down for breakfast by just after 6 am and on the road by about 6.45am by which time it was respectably light. This is the way to do and it as the heat is more or less kept at bay. Today was a record for us as we had finished our 65km by 11.15 with a couple of coffee stops and a bit of poking around on the way.

It might seem as if it would be boring riding the same route as we had about a week earlier but it wasn't . In fact it seemed prettier, perhaps it was because we were on only very moderate hills. The busy hot roads around Roanne were neither busy or hot at 7am in the morning, I was suprised that we didn't even see the cave like bus stop where we had had our lunch. Then onto that wonderful Voie Vert which before long got us into Macigny, the place where our clock was made, for our first coffee. Bars were open but apart from a line up of cars heading for the Decheterie there were few people about.

Back onto the Voie Vert we were now beginning to see a few cyclists out for a day's ride and the car parks that are at intervals along the Voie Vert now had some cars in them. Why on earth they don't go riding whe it is a bit cooler I don't know. The trail ends at Saint Yan. This is a rather basic little town but it had a PMU. The betting business was thriving but with some persistence we got a cup of coffee and some apple juice. Now came the only unpleasant part about 10km on a busy road which was slightly uphill and in full sun. It passed quickly and we were back to the canal and found the Swiss Chalet Barge with Chef Jeff that Rosemary and John had recommended . But there was something even better across the canal was an open bike shop. Over we went and the lovely old man said he was just going to lunch but if we came back at 3.30 my bike would have brakes again and the gears wouldn't squeal.Magic

So it was over to Cheif Jef. Ken had a beer and I had a Kir and we each had a great omelette with frites and salad. We sat out in the relative cool on the aft of the boat under the trees and enjoyed a leisurely meal - we are so lucky to have such a great time.

Tuakau Sale Yards wouldn't accept her but isn't she beautiful
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If these stations were still working we wouldn't have such a wonderful ride
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Looks as if no one drinks coffee as early as we do
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Ready for winter
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Saint Yan is a tiny ordinary town but it was not immune from Nazi atrocities. Eighteen were killed in a few days
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A happier note in Saint Yan
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Waiting for a make over
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Ken was excited the bike shop had lots of old Solex Mopeds. His shop is festooned with cups he has won in bike races
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Chef Jef's Restaurant
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My first Kir this trip
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Waiting for the hotel to open
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Today's ride: 65 km (40 miles)
Total: 1,114 km (692 miles)

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