Verdun to Metz

August 5, 2016

By my measurement, it was 4-1/2 miles. Mark says 7 miles even. Actually, I think we are both right, but either way you look at it, it was a long climb out of Verdun. But then, we knew we were in a river valley. And all that descending to get there had to be reinvested to leave, I guess.

Today's ride to Metz.

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At least it was warm and SUNNY. Yes! We had sun at daybreak. Finally. That makes a big difference. The hotel proprietor, Victor, said there had been an unusual cold front over Northern Europe. Unusual for this time of year! Well, it wasn't super hot, but we didn't need jackets either. In fact, I wore one of my lighter summer "jerseys" all day and only felt cold if we stopped too long, the wind was blowing, and I had broken a serious sweat. Well, there was not much sweating today.

At the top of the big climb. 8% grade downhill, then another climb in the distance.

After the long, refreshing climb out of Verdun, it became rolling countryside before a long descent into a valley, where we stayed for the next fifteen or so miles. Beautiful countryside too. I remarked to Mark that we must be in the breadbasket of France given all the wheat we had seen. Then we stumbled across a field of sunflowers. Out came the cameras again (at least Mark's).

A field of sunflowers framed by two trees.

A monument to the War of 1870 (the Franco-Prussian War), one of several we saw along the roadside. We are now in Lorraine!

Traffic was OK, but a bit heavy up until we crossed Autoroute A4 at about MP 10. After that, it was only the occasional car or truck. Although I have to say, the French are much more "aggressive" around cyclists than the Italians. Mark spoke of it first, but he and I had noticed earlier. They were passing much closer and faster than the Italians when we toured the Abruzzi last year. And we had noticed it since we left Paris. I had sort of dismissed it as being close to an urban area, but here we were, well out in the country, and some of the driving was a bit iffy. I remarked to Mark that maybe it was the German blood in them.

After about 25 miles, we started climbing again. Out of the valley. And then we descended again, this time into Metz. Of course, there will be a big climb tomorrow morning when we leave as well! Regardless, right before the big climb, we stopped for a drink and gummy bears at a bar in Gravelotte. A Perrier for me and a Coke Zero and Orangina for Mark. Plus, he got the gummy bears. Then we did the last climb.

A "bar" break at Le Quinze before the last big climb.

The descent was great! But I missed our turn!!!! Mark says he was yelling at me, but I was hellbent on enjoying it and totally missed our turn near the top! When he finally caught me (at the bottom), he informed me we needed to turn back and re-climb our descent. Never one to backtrack, I consulted the Garmin and said, "Tout droit! We'll reconnect further down the road." And we did.

And thankfully so, as it was right before the best part of the ride. We were soon on the bike trail along the Moselle, all the way into Metz. Beautiful and delightful.

The bike trail along the Moselle into Metz.

It was a very pleasant ride along the river. It had warmed up nicely by now.

And we had a good river crossing into the old town, arriving around 3:30 with good light and too many tourists! So we wandered a bit, being tourists too, and finally made our way to our hotel.

And the cathedral, which was near our hotel.

Arrival at Grand Hotel Metz . . . which had a great lobby but only so-so rooms.

All in all, a good day. A "day off" compared to yesterday. Now, relax and think about dinner!

Today's ride: 43 miles (69 km)
Total: 262 miles (422 km)

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