The roads today were like a gentle rollercoaster as I pedalled further away from the Jura and towards the Vosges. In fact, I'm in the foothills of the Vosges this evening in Masaveux. I'd stocked up massively on food earlier in the day after yesterday's issues. My panniers were bursting at the seams, my bike was creaking, my legs felt it on any slight incline...and there's a Super U (huge supermarket) round the corner from my campsite tonight!! The problem is never knowing so I'd rather carry too much.
It was a very hot and sunny today, fabulous! Rain is forecast tomorrow - boo - so I'm making the most of the last of the sunshine over a gorgeous glass of chilled dry white wine (1 euro 30!!!). It serves me right for heading North as well as back into the mountains. Part of me is shouting "head South, head South!" and then get a train up to Calais when I need to. The rest of me says I haven't explored Eastern France and probably won't come out this way again so make the most of it.
I've developed a lovely tan as I've pedalled along, I've been so lucky generally with the weather. My tours are usually in the wettest months on record whichever countries I seem to visit. Yes, I've had rain and I've certainly endured some vicious storms but I've had lots and lots of fabulous sunshine to this date. I'm reading about a guy who cycled from the UK to Italy in the school Summer holidays in 2010 & he suffered dreadful weather most of the time. It makes me feel luckier! I appreciate it could all now change so I want to record my overall happiness with the weather to this date!
Great to hear from you Caroline, Mel and Phil. Wobble well and truly over!
Phil, I hope you enjoyed another great cruise with Sharon and that your white tux got out on the dance floor!
Mum, I need to get my bum down to Somerset to see all these changes to the house!
And very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister, Janny! I hope you all read her post about her incredible weekend at a castle in Normandy - wow! Glad you had such a great time, Jan, well earned and well deserved. And your arm warmers from Gus sound a great gift!
More col bagging in the Vosges tomorrow fully laden, in the rain, I must be bonkers. To put these and all my other climbs into context, Ben Nevis is 1,344m high so most of my climbs are higher than that. Indeed, some of my campsites have been approaching the 1,000m mark hence the chilliness factor!
I'll let you know how I get on!
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2
Hey Andi
ReplyDeleteSounds like another great day :-) You have also inspired me to get back on my going nowhere bike.. I am too wobbly for a "normal" bike :-)
The Olympics have come and gone and it is now full steam ahead to the Paraolympics in a couple of weeks. We came 3rd on the medal board which is not too bad.
Hope they have some decent chocolate at the local shop, sounds like you deserve it.
Hope it does not rain too much tomorrow.
Keep pedaling and take care.
Jeannette x
Morning Daughter,
ReplyDeleteI doubt you could slack at anything!! Going up and down mountains is no easy thing! Even your bike has looked tired in some of your pictures!!
We had a man around yesterday to see about a Conservatory!! very exciting he has gone away to do a drawing for us. I hope he hurries up!
Our carpets are being fitted Aug 21st Dining room and bathroom will then be sorted out. They need to be painted before then, but it's not a big job hopefully! Not my first choice of an activity i have to say.
Got Physio this lunch time, i am hoping my knee has improved since i last saw her.
You can come anytime you like and for as long as you like, it will be nice to have you stay. Hop on a plane and we will pick you up at the airport.
Take care looking forward to your news tomorrow!
Lots of love
Mum xx
Your postcard has just arrived. it looks really nice. You have picked a wonderful part of the world to cycle in.
ReplyDeleteJust about to go to Physio i hope she is kind!!
Take care
Lots of love
Mum xx
Definitely slackers land you have been exploring in recent days!! Glad to hear that you are getting back on the challenging terrain! Nice to hear that you have been picking up a healthy glow with all your outside ventures, much more healthy than being in an office eh?! Gus and I are going to Go Ape again on Saturday so hoping that we have some sunshine for it this time. I must say it was rather pleasant to be on the bikes this weekend in the sun as oppose to the battering rain for hours on end. I'm still following up with Dad to make sure he goes back to a Dr!!
ReplyDeleteLook forward to the next installment Jxx
Hi Andi
ReplyDeleteI have found the link to your blog!! Sorry it's taken me so long.....
You are a complete inspiration to us all! Keep up the good work.
Well our gliding competition was a complete successs. We flew 8 of the 9 days in pretty good conditions for the UK. Four of the days it was incredibly hot with temperatures of 26 C. I didn't land out once during the commpetition - another first for me! since then I have been competing in interclub league and am really enjoying my gliding at the moment.
We have a reunion of my old gliding school on 25th and looking forward to seeing lots of my old friends again. Nick and I are also going to Scotland in early September to see if I can get my Diamond Height gain. You have to gain a height above launch height of 15,000 ft. so must use oxygen above 10,000 ft. I am really looking forward to that. Have planned on fitting camera to the glider to record the event if I am lucky with the weather.
Looking forward to hearing about your next few days. Take care and keep safe.
Paula xxxx
Hello! Just seen that you've updated on here, I was about to text you to say hurry up and get back into civilisation!! Really nice to catch up on how you're getting on. So glad that you're having good weather, the pictures look beautiful. Bless that guy who went and got you a pizza - awwww! And that dinner you cooked looks amazing! Just needs a bit of added garlic ;o)
ReplyDeleteMary x