I slept the sleep of someone who is taking the easy route. Jacinto said I had done the climbing route two days with him, he would take the easy route with me. I think a factor for both of us is that we expected the D Road yesterday to be fairly traffic free. That was not correct. Today the majority of our day was on the N Road. There was less semi traffic than yesterday. At times the traffic was heavy, but we always had a shoulder. Occasionally I could see a road across the valley that I suspect was the RWGPS recommended route. I was not even a tiny bit sad about our choice. My quads were tight this morning. I'm good with the easiest way to town. Which isn't to say it was easy!
We still had some significant granny gear climbs around switch backs. We are high enough in the mountains that heat wasn't an issue. We had ice from the restaurant this morning. Speaking of the restaurant. Breakfast was 12.50E. It was served at our table, a little tray each of yogurt/fruit/museli and the tiniest container with one slice of ham and two triangles of cheese. Bread, always bread. I had asked in advance about eggs. We went round with the waitress about our desire for eggs. She didn't think they were necessary, but did agree they were on the menu for 3E each. In this case, our omelette was really an omelette, and was actually cooked to our standards. So far in France we've found omelettes to be scrambled eggs cooked soft.
We had a good climbing day. Everything was within my capabilities until we reached town. On the map, I could see there was an up at the end. Boy, howdy, was that up! I made it about 1/3 of the way up the hill before walking. Jacinto rode the whole way, but had to use his lowest gear. The horrors!
We've been seeing many motorcycles the past few days. There were eight motorcycles in the garage with our bicycles last night. As we pulled into the parking lot for the Edelweiss Hotel, there were four motorcycles out front, with their riders on the patio. Jacinto got us checked in. His bike went downstairs, but he expressed his doubts about my bike fitting. The desk clerk said of course it would - then he saw my bicycle! They gave it a good try, but it was a no go. His alternate choice was to put it in our room. Perfect! Jacinto and I carried the bike up one wide flight of stairs, and around the corner. One of the motorcycle riders commented on my bike being big. Jacinto replied that it was a pain. The rider quickly quipped back, "No pain, no gain."
It didn't matter which direction we went for dinner, I didn't want to go. It's a crazy up, or down, no matter which comes first. We ended up walking down - to a restaurant that was supposed to be open. Of course it was closed. Then Jacinto found a place that says it has tacos. The photos showed tacos with French fries inside. I'm skeptical. We walk that direction. They are closed for vacation for three weeks. We walk back to the area of the first restaurant. By now it is 6:30 and several places are open. We end up at the one with the most people. They only serve salads and burgers. We order drinks. I keep looking expectantly at the waiter. He comes over and asks if we want to order already, we don't want to relax with our drinks? Food! Bring me food!
Sitting in the shade with a breeze was a nice way to enjoy our meal. The walk up the hill was mostly in the shade. I gave myself a pep talk about walking back down tomorrow.
Jacinto has bicycled 18 days in a row. He has a delima about riding a col tomorrow, or taking an actual day off. We have one climbing day left, over the border. Then we have four big mile, flat days to Venice. Whose idea was it to go to Venice in July? To make things interesting, it looks like five days of rain coming up. Maybe that will cool off the temperature? At least we won't be cold.
I'm really, really looking forward to having a day off tomorrow. It's only been five riding days, but my legs are ready.
The view from our window at night, after everyone finally went home.
Jacinto and the desk clerk stand my bike on end to try and get it in the basement. It ended up in my room. That suited me perfectly. I’ve already done a day off level cleaning, which includes wiping between the spokes.
Jacinto has mentioned several times how it’s too bad we didn’t have a day off in Enbrum. Our hotel there had a king size bed, AC, and that killer view. This is nice, but there are levels to nice.
I debated if I could hike back up the steep hill to our hotel if I had an adult beverage. I needn’t have worried. I could taste zero alcohol in my 10E sunrise. Notice our free appetizer. This is a first. Perhaps because we are close to Italy?
Rachael AndersonNo, it really does show it well. I’d forgott n how tough it is right at the end. Pretty sure we walked it in tool Reply to this comment 1 month ago
Today's ride: 30 miles (48 km) Total: 757 miles (1,218 km)
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Betsy EvansThe French invented omelettes. Just sayin'. :-)
And similar to a French person perhaps not enjoying a rubbery American omelette, don't expect a taco in France to resemble anything that an American or Mexican would think of as a taco. If you Google 'French taco', you'll see that it's a grilled fast food wrap consisting of a flour tortilla with assorted fillings, including fries, like you saw in the photo. Perhaps a good thing you're just about finished with France!!
