Today we get to ride the Atlantic coast through the French Pays Basque on our last day in France. First we'll have a better look at the neighborhood church - the Cathedrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne, another Gothic wonder. The church stands on the Pilgrimage Way of Santiago de Compostela. I think we'll cross the Way of St. James a few times over the next week. Perhaps someday we'll follow the Camino all the way.
The Cathedrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne, built from the 13th to the 17th century
I made a hurried dash from the train station across the Pont Saint-Esprit yesterday to make the hotel deadline. It's nice to come back and appreciate this handsome bridge over the Adour River.
The ride out of town is on a chill bike path that runs along the Adour River to the Atlantic. From there the path continues by the ocean. We'll be on it all day along with lots of other people enjoying the beautiful weather on a Sunday.
Quite a contrast between the pink Pont Henri Grenet, built in 1993, and the 1849 Pont Saint-Esprit
Another productive bike shop stop, at Bicicletta in Anglet. I pick up a bell for my handlebar and Barry finds another spare rack screw since he has used all the extras that he found in Montpellier.
Janice BranhamTo Steve Miller/GrampiesHe did tighten up the straps, they seem more secure. On the other hand, when I got to the hotel last night I realized that in my haste to get there from the train, I hadn't attached either of the hooks for my bags to the rack. Living a charmed life here. Reply to this comment 7 months ago
Lunch at Carlos Cafe in Biarritz. I had a good Caesar salad, something surprisingly hard to find in the last few restaurants we have been to. Barry enjoyed the charcuterie board on his quest to try all the meat.
There are some big vertical curves in the terrain on the second half of the ride. I'm relieved that Barry got his rear brake working; it's essential here on the steep downhills. Thanks to Scott Anderson for suggesting we take two days to ride from Bayonne to San Sebastian. It's a good call; there's plenty of adventure on our 22 miler today.
A switchback-y ride back up to the bike path was the price for a detour to ride this quiet stretch by the waterfront. Worth it.
Janice BranhamTo Steve Miller/GrampiesOy, that's a lot of up. It can't be any fun to push an ebike up the hill.. Reply to this comment 7 months ago
Steve Miller/GrampiesTo Janice BranhamYou are right there, especially when fully loaded. There is a walk assist feature which gives a small push , but even so... Reply to this comment 7 months ago
In Ciboure, a neighborhood just across the Nivelle river from Saint-Jean-de-Luz we have to scale a mammoth hill to our lodging at Hotel Agur Deneri. Barry manages it all the way in the saddle; it's a long push for me.
On the way to dinner we walk by traditional half-timbered Basque-style houses. I found three restaurants nearby marked as open on Google but we strike out on the first two. At least there's an entertaining scene on the way to #3 by a neighborhood bar.
Kids chasing balls and giggling by the local bar. Behind them three guys are playing some kind of racquet ball. One of the balls came zinging by and took out a beer.
