http://picasaweb.google.com/kblocke/Paris2010#
http://picasaweb.google.com/kblocke/Normandy#
http://picasaweb.google.com/kblocke/CrossingFrance#
http://picasaweb.google.com/kblocke/Alps#
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Pictures
All pictures are now uploaded:
Monday, September 27, 2010
Crossing
The crossing of France, from Basel Switzerland to St Nazaire France on
the Atlantic
http://picasaweb.google.com/kblocke/CrossingFrance#
the Atlantic
http://picasaweb.google.com/kblocke/CrossingFrance#
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Pics of Alps
Posted the first set of pictures on
http://picasaweb.google.com/kblocke/Alps#
This will take you from Grenoble to l'Alpe d'Huez, to Geneva
http://picasaweb.google.com/kblocke/Alps#
This will take you from Grenoble to l'Alpe d'Huez, to Geneva
Friday, September 24, 2010
North Atlantic
Time to go home. Out of vacation, and a football game to go to.
Plane had trouble leaving Paris. We pulled away fcrfom the gate on time, then stopped. Sat for 5 minutes and were informed that we were more then 2000 pounds overweight. So we pulled in again. Pilot was on the sat phone with home base. Someone missplaced a decimel, or something like that. We offloaded some cargo, then learned that since we had moved at a weight greater then ramp weight. So mechanics were called out for a 'quick but through ' inspection. Left about 50 minutes late.
Location : Address not available
Posted via Android
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Strike
The strike's affect on the main Paris train station, St Lazare. A lot of people waiting for a train that will not be leaving. Also noted a strong police force standing around. Lots more mopeds and motorcycles on the road, but traffic seems as hectic as it was yesterday.
Location : 26 Rue d'Amsterdam, 75009 Paris,
Posted via Android
Paris
Paris a non stop,crowded town. The traffic circle around the Arc de Triomphe was amazing. Cars, bikes, mopeds, trucks, motorcycles all went with apparant carelessness, yet I saw no accidents.
There is also a great scam that a certian group try to pull off, they find a gold ring that someone dropped near you. They offer it to you for luck, in exchange for some money. I got to where I could see it coming, watch them drop it and just laugh at them when they looked at me.
Transportation strike seems to have affected the transport to the airport. The stop there had a lot of angry people waiting on a nonexistant bus. Yesterday there were two busses waiting for people. City busses are running, are not full, and no crowds at the stops. So, slow the tourists, not the locals.
Location : 26 Rue d'Amsterdam, 75009 Paris,
Posted via Android
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Strike
BBC News - France faces new wave of strikes
I will report more as i see it.
Location : 26 Rue d'Amsterdam, 75009 Paris,
Posted via Android
Final totals
12 Sept, Pouilly sur Loire, 58.9 miles, 2218 feet
13, Sully sur Loire, 61.6mi, 686ft
14, Beaugency, 50.4mi, 361ft
15, Tours, 66.1mi, 614ft rain
16, Gennes, 60.6mi, 581ft
17, Champtoceaux, 62mi, 1296ft
18, StNazaire, 64.4mi, 1339ft
19, Bayeaux, 5mi
20, Omaha, 35.6mi, 1007ft
21, Gold Juno, 48.9mi,1034ft
22, Bayeaux, 5mi
Trip total
1101.8 miles, 37,435ft
In 25 days, I have set a new personnal best. My previous best was 1072miles in 31 days. This was an 18 year old record. This time i did it pulling a 50 pound trailer up 7 miles.
Location : 26 Rue d'Amsterdam, 75009 Paris,
Posted via Android
Train
And on to Paris. Rode to Bayeaux train station and packed the Friday. Easier to get around the trains, and Paris for a day. Heard a rumor that there is a transportation stike tomorrow. Glad i am on the train now.
Paris StLazare train station is a zoo. The area outside is as well. Went to 6 hotels that were full. The 7th one had a room for one night, i needed 2, but i'll worry about that tomorrow. Rather warm dragging the bike and gear behind me for an hour.
Location : 26 Rue d'Amsterdam, 75009 Paris,
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Saturday, September 18, 2010
Atlantic
Where the Loire meets the Atlantic.
Location : Rue de l'Amiral Courbet, 44600 St-Nazaire,
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Atlantic
Made it to the Atlantic at StNazaire.
Location : Rue de l'Amiral Courbet, 44600 St-Nazaire,
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Sub pen
Land side of the sub pens, StNazaire. Town was 85% destroyed during the war, but the concrete untouched. Last city in France to be liberated.
Location : Rue de l'Amiral Courbet, 44600 St-Nazaire,
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Sub pen
Inside one of the bays at StNazaire.
Location : Rue de l'Amiral Courbet, 44600 St-Nazaire,
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Sub pen
Top of the sub pens at StNazaire. 16 ft thick.
Location : 21 Rue du Parc à l'Eau, 44600 St-Nazaire,
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Friday, September 17, 2010
Road signs
I have always heard that the French are rude. This is not true. Except for the guysthat do the road markings. Most turns in a road are not marked. In one place, i had come from D13, and wanted to continue on the road at a 6 way intersection. Two of the roads were also marked D13, for a total of three roads from the intersection with the same name. I have tried to follow the trail of the Loire, for bikes. Sometimes the way is marked welll, other times it is marked a mile after the turn. Hope you guessed correctly. Even following the main roads is a challange, as markings are not until you have to successfully navigate several turns on different roads, many narrow to allow only a single car at a time. On a bike trying to avoid the pave.
Location : 2 Rue Hippolyte Maindron, 49270 Champtoceaux,
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Above laLoire
Around St-Florent-le-Vieil. Lower part of the Loire valley is pulsh. Very green, both wild and cultivated.
Location : 2 Rue Hippolyte Maindron, 49270 Champtoceaux,
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Tours
The Loire at Tours. Started cloudy, ended sunny. No rain.
Location : 2 Rue Hippolyte Maindron, 49270 Champtoceaux,
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French humor
About half a mile. The French think this is great fun. It is called Pave, for those of you that did not already know this. Bike and rider did fine, trailer was bouncing all over.
Location : 2 Rue Hippolyte Maindron, 49270 Champtoceaux,
Posted via Android
Rain
Wednesday was an all day rain. Put your head down and ride there was nothing to look at except the puddles. Never heavy, sometimes a light misty fog. Stopped when I got to Tours and found hotel.
Location : 2 Rue Hippolyte Maindron, 49270 Champtoceaux,
Posted via Android
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
old Orleans
Main cathedral in Orleans. Cover a football field. Some crazy stonework.
Location : 69 Rue Villeneuve, 92110 Clichy,
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Pont Canel
This is a canal that goes over the Loire. Very cool.
Location : 69 Rue Villeneuve, 92110 Clichy,
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Sunday, September 12, 2010
Balcony
What a great place. My downstairs neighbors just informed me the food is great. I also learned a very important fact. Pouilly sur Loire is where Pouilly Fume is from. This is a very good white wine. The proprieter is a real nice guy.
Location : Quai de Loire, 58150 Pouilly-sur-Loire,
Posted via Android
Oh yeah
More rolling hills, lots of motorcycles in thier rally. The first 10 miles out of Chateau-Chinon were a twisting downhill. I did not touch the brake, and kept a 30 mph+ speed. Apex to apex, down low, knee out to steady my turns. Several motorcycles passed me with a thumbs up. So much fun, it had to be illegal. Went down some roads that were used in this years Tour, with paint still on the road. Went through several forests, with trees overhanging the road. As i approached the Loire, the horizon started to disappear. Rain suit on in time fora driving rain. It quickly tapered off, to a heavy drizzle, but did not stop. Made it to Pouilly sur Loire around 4. First hotel closed, man on street told me 2 km south (wrong direction) was one, this one was also closed, but she told me 2km south. This one ws full, but 2km south was one. Getting worried by now. This hotel, a 3 star had a room. Balcony and all. Take what you can.
Location : L'Autoroute de l'Arbre, 58150 Pouilly-sur-Loire,
Posted via Android
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Trip totals
Since last total
5 Sept 37.5 miles, 390 ft, Montbeliard
6 Sept 66.1 miles, 1303 ft, Besancon
7 Sept 68.1 miles, 1677 ft Dijon
8 Sept 36 miles, 889 ft, Beaune
10 Sept, 39 miles, 1965 ft, Autun
11 Sept 35.3 miles, 2874 ft, Chateau-Chinon
Trip total, 587.5 miles, 27,769 feet of climbing with more to come.
Location : 3-7 Rue du Tacot, 58120 Château-Chinon,
Posted via Android
Mount Beauvray
The forground is from a moestary built and re built, and rebuilt again between the 15th and 17th centuries. The background is just stunning. The way up was a single lane, patched and the steepest road i have ever been on. Most of it was 15 to 20%, some was 20 to 25%, and a 30 meter section was 30%. This was insane. The downhill side had some 20% sections that were interesting due to the bumpy, graveled, moist, bark covered cart path, with brakes that were rendered marginal from the descent into Geneva last week. Wow, what a ride. I am in Chateau Chinon, whose claim to fame was that Mitterand was mayor here before he was president of france. It is in the Morvan, a Natural park. Beautiful views when you are not gasping for air.
Location : 12-32 Boulevard de la République, 58120 Château-Chinon,
Posted via Android
Road
This is one of the wonderful roads that i have found. It is around 10 feet wide, and there was no other traffic on it. Navigation has gotten easier since the GPS lost its mind (maps), as my internal direction and map reading skills returned. Big cities are still not fun.
Location : Address not available
Posted via Android
Friday, September 10, 2010
Autun
Old church. Very simple inside. From the tourist guide "the cathedral of Saint Lazare offers another insight into Romanesque architecture as influenced by Cluny III and one of the finest series of Romanesque sculptures, completed by collections in the neighbouring Musee Rolin"
Location : 51-61 Square des Droits de l'Homme, 71400 Autun,
Posted via Android
Autun
Several of the medium sized town were having a carnival. This is autun's, blocking an otherwise beautiful view
Location : 51-61 Square des Droits de l'Homme, 71400 Autun,
Posted via Android
Pommard
In Burgandy, a little south of Beaune. Completly surrounded by vineyards. I climbed (small climb, as the alps have set the standard) out of the burgandy valley, and got completely out of the tourist areas. I mean way off. As I pulled into Autun, I came across two other bike Fridays pulling trailers. Unreal. We were going in seperate directions but it was crazy to see them. Got into the hotel area and there were 100's of motorcycles. Good thing they were not staying. Long way to next town. This is beautiful rolling hills, cattle, and thick native forests. Most climbs are short and less then 7%.
Location : 51-61 Square des Droits de l'Homme, 71400 Autun,
Posted via Android
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Beaune
One of the many gates and ramperts that still protect the city.
My GPS is great when it works, the maps show dirt roads, bike trails and up, but occasionaly it dumps the maps, and becomes a very expensive bike computer. Garmin will not enjoy this conversation.
Location : Rue Victor Millot, 21200 Beaune,
Posted via Android
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Burgandy
I took the smallest road i could find, fighting a brutal, 55 degree wind with frequent showers to bring you this picture of the Burgandy vineyards. The grapes were soild for 35 miles, up the valley, but not on the flatter parts. In Beaune now going to chill for an extra day to let the muscles relax.
Location : 1 Rue Victor Millot, 21200 Beaune,
Posted via Android
Dijon
Old dijon, church was quite large and had some crazy stone carvings. here's the scoop, "the cathedral of Saint Benigne. This prime example of burgundian gothic was built in the 13th - 14th centuries on the site of an earlier Romanesque Benedictine abbey whose remians comprise the crypt with its rotunda built in the year 1000 and the first floor of the monks building."
I wondered around the old town for a while then started to leave. The gps always showed me where I needed to go, but not the one way streets. I finally gave up and walked the bike down the sidewalk. Trouble with that, the sidewalk was too narrow for the trailer. Got out and followed really small roads through the vinyards of burgandy.
Also of interest in this picture, the street was one way, in the direction of the photo, but there is a counter flow lane for bikes on the left side.
Location : Rue Victor Millot, 21200 Beaune,
Posted via Android
Location : 1-19 Rue Victor Millot, 21200 Beaune,
Posted via Android
Location : 51-61 Square des Droits de l'Homme, 71400 Autun,
Posted via Android
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Dijon
Two long days, 66 and 68 miles. Last night it rained all night, sometimes heavy, rain tapered off to a slow drizzle. Not enough for the rain jacket, too much for the wind jacket. As i approached Dijon, a fellow pulled over and asked if i needed help (at least that is what i thought he was asking). He pulled around the corner and we proceeded to discuss finding a hotel. Turns out he was the president of the burgandy cycling club. I followed him to the start of the bike path that took me to an american style hotel. Most os the conversation was in german, some french, and no english. We both spoke in the language of the cycling brotherhood. I am far to tired to continue into the old city. I'll save that for tomorrow. For now a little dry white wine, then a meal with some red wine.
Dolce vita
Location : 14-16 Rue Pierre de Coubertin, 21000 Dijon,
Posted via Android
Monday, September 6, 2010
Besancon
View outside my hotel. Really just an alley. Started to rain as i got in. Hope to gets done with it, as tomorrow is a long day into Dijon. Besancon is beautiful, with an enormous citidel on to of the old town.
Location : 2-12 Rue Moncey, 25000 Besançon,
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Trail
Really remarkable paved bike path. Not always well marked. Down side is that it keeps you out of the cities.
Location : 56-74 Rue des Granges, 25000 Besançon,
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Trail and canal
The trail between Montbeliard and Besancon mostly followed the canal, before an up and over to the Doubs. The trail finally went under the citadel in besancon. Long day at 106 km.
Location : 2-12 Rue Moncey, 25000 Besançon,
Posted via Android
Location : 1 Rue Victor Millot, 21200 Beaune,
Posted via Android
Sunflowers
My first french sunflowers, a bit past thier prime
Location : 2-12 Rue Moncey, 25000 Besançon,
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Geneva
A nightly occurance, you dump everything out just to find what you need. Hotels become a blur.
Location : 56-74 Rue des Granges, 25000 Besançon,
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Montbeliard
On a sunday, no restuarants are open. Have to walk far to find a bar or pastry. The bar did not have wine. In France?
Location : 2-12 Rue Moncey, 25000 Besançon,
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Empty trail
This is the trail along the canal that connects the rhine and the rhone. Every 100 yards or so there is a lock. For the first 20 miles it went uphill, then 15 miles it went downhill. Not sure how the upper portion got its water.
Location : 2-12 Rue Moncey, 25000 Besançon,
Posted via Android
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Mulhouse france
The old city of Mulhouse. After the alps,i don't know how to handle the flatness of this area.
Location : 2-10 Rue de Velotte, 25200 Montbéliard,
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Last day for the short timers
Somwhere between Annecy and Geneva. Epic day ,not very far but the largest vertical of the trip at 4180 feet. The saleve was a hard, 20 km climb, but the downhill into geneva had us smoking our brakes. First time i had ever smeeld the brakes, and could not touch the rim.
Location : 2-10 Rue de Velotte, 25200 Montbéliard,
Posted via Android
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Mulhouse
A recap from Mulhouse France
No clouds. This is bound to change.
The french keyboards are different.
There is very limited WiFi.
The French drivers are very nice to cyclists. I cannot stress this enough.
No clouds. This is bound to change.
The french keyboards are different.
There is very limited WiFi.
The French drivers are very nice to cyclists. I cannot stress this enough.
The stats for the week
28 Aug 35.2 miles, 1963 feet climbing, Bourg dOisains
29 Aug 53.5 miles, 3618, lAlpe dHuez, Grenoble
30 Aug 38.9 miles, 2382 Lepin - Aiguebelette
31 Aug 34.6 miles, 2392, LeBourget du Lac (Chambrey)
1 Sept 43.4 miles, 3274, Annecy
2 Sept 26 miles, 686, Lake Annecy
3 Sept 45.3 miles, 4180, Geneva
4 Sept Transfer to Basel Switzerland
4 Sept 28.8 miles, 177, Mulhouse
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Grenoble to lAlpe dHuez
Polly's bike was no delivered to geneva until 1:30, so we got a late train to Grenoble. Did not atart riding until 730. Did you know that by 900, it is dark? Beautiful riding in tha mountians in the dark stars against the mountians, and finally a mostly full moon. We arrived at almost midnight, the hotel was not pleased. Hotel Milan was very nice, at a good price.
Posted via Android
Annecy
On the final climb into Annnecy, my saddle rails broke at the back. Had to ride a few miles uphill with only the nose attached. Stood up on the way down. Bike shop at the bottom gave my a beater. We made annecy and found a hotel on the main canal. Beautiful town. Found a nice shop and bought a good saddle. Circling the lake now, stopped at an hotel that polly stayed at many years ago.
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