Capri, c’est fini (and Italy too…)
Day 372, Trieste, 25.346 km For the soundtrack, it’s here Turning another page… After a month and a half of avoiding crazy drivers on the roads, surviving hell-like heat, enduring the two rainy days of summer and tasting as many pizzas as possible (and admitting that they were all better than each other), I onlyLire la suite « Capri, c’est fini (and Italy too…) »
Rainy birthday, happy birthday!
Day 367, Faenza, 24.766 km While looking for a title for this article, I realized that the theme of rain was often present in the choices I had made so far, so the reference will be (very) discreet this time… Anniversary then! The most perceptive among you will have already noticed that the day counterLire la suite « Rainy birthday, happy birthday! »
Like Germans say, “Man trifft sich immer zweimal im Leben“
Day 363, Pescara, 24.261 km After arriving in Bari, I struggle (a little) to climb the two floors that lead to the hostel while carrying bike and luggage. I hear the manager swearing « another huge bike! Well, I think, another cyclist is already there! Indeed, I quickly meet Florian, German living in Denmark, who leftLire la suite « Like Germans say, “Man trifft sich immer zweimal im Leben“ »
Finals Day
Day 359, Lecce, 23.685 km 5:35. I hear voices, people walking around the tent. It’s a bit early to go hiking. At the same time if we take into account the fact that between 9 am and 6 pm it’s more than 30°, it seems to make sense to leave early in the morning… MeLire la suite « Finals Day »
Etna; Etna
Day 355, Crotone, 23.071 km If you want to read with music, here is the original soundtrack (think « Etna » during the chorus, you’ll see it’s like you’re there). Then, for those who are worried about my water state, you should know that since my acid pamphlet, my indictment of the water terrorists in these sameLire la suite « Etna; Etna »
The (blue) gold miner
Day 350, Syracuse, 22.453 km If you haven’t yet read Le Clézio’s book (« Le chercheur d’or ») that I had the good fortune (or bad fortune? I can’t say, but I don’t have any lasting memories of it) to read during my first year of prep school, please do so (unless you really don’t have theLire la suite « The (blue) gold miner »
Cecilia…
Day 346, Palermo, 21.850 km I can hear the reactions of some of you already: « What? Another article? But it’s only been two days… He should spend more time pedaling than writing his nonsense… » And then right after: « Cecilia. But who is she? What has he been up to again? « . Don’t worry, I’ll makeLire la suite « Cecilia… »
The wheel that turns does not rust
Day 343, Messina, 21.567 km While searching for a title for this article, I come across this « ancient Greek proverb »: « The wheel that turns does not rust ». Yes, but as far as I’m concerned, it tends (spoiler alert!!) to break. Yes, after the spoke-problems during the first part of my trip, after a wheel changeLire la suite « The wheel that turns does not rust »
Pizzas like they were falling from the sky
Day 339, Naples, 20.954 km I had already slightly adapted my diet since my arrival in Italy, with a more and more preponderant place given to pasta and pizzas. But with still a bit of variety, in a desire to also enjoy local specialties. Since I’m in Naples, and Etienne can testify to this, asLire la suite « Pizzas like they were falling from the sky »
All roads lead to Rome!
Day 336, Rome, 20.683 km The more time I spend in Italy, the more I find my GPS application lousy. Unnecessary detours on crappy roads, ridiculously high elevation announced (it must be the tunnels, but still), so I try more and more to follow the road signs. Besides, I was going to Rome, and asLire la suite « All roads lead to Rome! »
Twenty Thousand Leagues Above the Earth
Day 332, Florence, 20.367 km If one day I start doing genealogical research (it seems that the probability of occurrence increases with age, you never know) and I discover a distant filiation with Jules Verne (a hidden branch resulting from the first marriage of his son Michel Verne perhaps), I will have to write aLire la suite « Twenty Thousand Leagues Above the Earth »
Between the lakes
Day 329, Milano, 19.907 km After the lakes in Austria, the lakes in Switzerland, here are the lakes in Italy! A must-see according to all the guidebooks I consulted before leaving, I can confirm that it is worth the detour: white swans on blue waters, with snow-covered peaks in the background and a cloudless skyLire la suite « Between the lakes »
The Clutch!
Day 325, Torino, 19.406 km There were many highlights during these last days, which would have deserved a title as well: the sea, the creeks, the family reunion, the Alps, the passes, the border guards, Italy… there was no lack of candidates. But the one that won the prize (and hands down, it must beLire la suite « The Clutch! »
The Tour of Europe, 5th Act
Day 320, Marseille, 18.704 km After Central Europe last summer, the North in the fall, France in the winter and the Iberian Peninsula in the spring, I’m about to embark on the 5th act of the Tour of Europe: Italy. I don’t know yet what I’m more excited about: the idea of stopping in smallLire la suite « The Tour of Europe, 5th Act »
The Tour Of France, done too!
Day 300, Valence, 18.006 km Valence – Valence. 250 days later. Arrival by the South this time to complete the loop. Some of you might note that the north-western quarter of France was a little neglected. May the Bretons and the Normans forgive me, but COVID… If you have any complaints, please contact the CustomerLire la suite « The Tour Of France, done too! »
On the road of Le Tour
Day 294, Toulouse, 17.377 km There was the alpine stage, with Sandrine and Le B this fall. And there was the Pyrenean stage in spring, this time alone and without the sweater (lost in Sevilla) nor the tie (I had borrowed the one from Le B at the time). The purists will point out thatLire la suite « On the road of Le Tour »
La Vuelta de Iberica!
Day 290, Pau, 17.066 km And that’s it. With this new stopover in Pau at Marie and Florent’s, I completed my tour of the Iberian Peninsula. It was mountainous (a lot), rainy (especially towards the end), a bit long sometimes, a bit lonely too, but above all beautiful. Breathtaking landscapes, the sea, the mountains, theLire la suite « La Vuelta de Iberica! »
Rain and Fog
Day 286, Santander, 16.515 km While talking with the hostel manager before leaving Oviedo (in Spanish please!), I tell her about my intention to go to the Picos de Europa park. She has a little grin, as if to say, “Well, that guy must not have looked at the weather forecast” and says, “I hopeLire la suite « Rain and Fog »
Get ready for the worst and survive the least…
Day 283, Oviedo, 16.170 km I was promised hell: thunderstorms, wind, and especially a lot of rain. In the end, I rode through the drops, I was sometimes faster than the rain, or just got lucky, I don’t know, in any case it seems that a good angel is watching over me these days… InLire la suite « Get ready for the worst and survive the least… »
The Camino de Santiago
Day 280, Santiago de Compostella, 15.819 km Like many things since the beginning of this trip, I had been told about it, but apparently hearing and feeling are not the same thing. « Santiago de Compostela, you’ll see, you need to climb it ». « The north of Spain, you don’t stop going up and down”. I haveLire la suite « The Camino de Santiago »
Quinta da Roda da Quintã: live elsewhere, live differently…
Day 276, Porto, 15.405 km I leave the bike road and enter the village of Farminhão. I go up the main street. I look for a ceramic sign, as I have seen so many on my way. Here it is! Quinta da Roda da Quintã, here we are. Two grannies are talking in front ofLire la suite « Quinta da Roda da Quintã: live elsewhere, live differently… »
Bom Bia!!
Day 272, Coimbra, 15.066 km I must admit that, despite my 9 days in Portugal, my language skills are limited to saying « Hello » and « Thank you ». I asked at least 5 people how to say « I’m sorry, I don’t speak Portuguese, do you speak English? » only to forget it right away. But that doesn’t stopLire la suite « Bom Bia!! »
In Portugal, it does (not?) only rains on dumb people!
Day 269, Lisbon, 14.727 km There is a saying in France, that most people coming from Brittany use: “In Brittany, it rains only on dumb people”. If you have ever talked about rain to a Breton, he probably replied with this famous adage, while giving you a condescending look… I had been told about PortugalLire la suite « In Portugal, it does (not?) only rains on dumb people! »
Portugal, here we come…
Day 264, Faro, 14.137 km Last turn and here I am, the border between Spain and Portugal. It should be the last administrative obstacle on my way. A border post on this small country road. 3 cars are in line, the occupants of the first one are talking with the customs officers. I put myselfLire la suite « Portugal, here we come… »
April Fool(s)!!!!
Day 262, Sevilla, 13.830 km I don’t know if the tradition of April Fool’s is very popular in Spain, but I decided to make jokes to myself for a few days to mark the occasion. More than doubtful roads, highways, military zones, sand, forbidden bridges, mosquitoes, we had a good laugh with Jay and Bob,Lire la suite « April Fool(s)!!!! »
No plan is better than any plan…
Day 257, Malaga, 13.393 km Before I left, when people asked me what I was going to do with my sabbatical year, I inevitably answered: « I don’t really know, I don’t want to make too many plans, just enjoy the time I’m going to have… ». In the end I made some plans, first to cycleLire la suite « No plan is better than any plan… »
The slap!
Day 253, Almeria, 13.010 km It’s always the same thing. Considering the relief of the area it happens quite often. Several times a day at the moment. The road has been going up for a few kilometers. The drivers of the cars that overtake me raise their thumb, as if to say « Courage! ». The cyclistsLire la suite « The slap! »
¿ Donde vas?
Day 248, Valencia, 12.410 km I’ve played out the scene in my head at least four or five times over the past few days. Especially yesterday, when I saw a sign in the distance that said « State of alert! Access only to people with authorization ». The passage from Catalonia to the Valencian Community. A policeLire la suite « ¿ Donde vas? »
Twelve… Thousand…
Day 245, Barcelona, 12.000 km Twelve. And thousand. Probably the two numbers I use the most in everyday language. So I have to write an article to celebrate the event. I’ve been in Barcelona for a week. Enough time to repair my bike, to do touristy stuff, to rest, to cook, and to ride myLire la suite « Twelve… Thousand… »
A Pyrrhic victory
Day 240, Barcelona, 11.833 km Alas, the hardest part was done, the Pyrenees were cleared, the border was passed, morale was high and a good night’s rest was in sight. But a moment of inattention, a tight turn in the road unfortunately undid all these beautiful plans and put an end to the glorious journeyLire la suite « A Pyrrhic victory »
Adventure in known territory
Day 234, Saint-Thibéry, 11.467 km New start, new year, new wheel, new companions on the road, but the landscapes have not changed for the moment. At least not too much. The weather is a little bit better (I count for the moment more sunburns than rain showers, so automatically less flooded roads) than last timeLire la suite « Adventure in known territory »
Mars, a pleasure you can’t measure
Day 229, Avignon, 11.231 km As one of you said in your comment on the last post, the title of this article was already given. I took the liberty of playing with the punctuation to give the impression that the title comes from me anyway. But that’s not the point… After almost two and aLire la suite « Mars, a pleasure you can’t measure »
DOUBLE BREAK!
Day 192, Avignon, 11.231 km I had left Jay at the repair shop before the holidays, my heart full of hope and my head full of plans, already rejoicing at the idea of skirting the Mediterranean from Spain, hair in the wind and facing the sun, while the rest of Europe would suffer from coldLire la suite « DOUBLE BREAK! »
Christmas!
Day 154, Avignon, 10.763 km Here we are, slowly but surely, I’m approximately halfway. 5 months already since I left under the sun in Hamburg, and I ended up arriving in Avignon. And since Jay was starting to limp a little (I’m breaking a spoke every other day at the moment), I decided to offerLire la suite « Christmas! »
It’s Raclette time!!
Day 147, Toulouse, 10.251 km The advantage of being welcomed by friends and family is that the question of meals often comes up: « Is there something that would make you happy? – Everything except rice. And I eat a lot”. People also know that I love cheese (where I go, cheese platters die out), soLire la suite « It’s Raclette time!! »
The cyclist and the sun
Day 142, Bordeaux, 9.835 km A cyclist who has cycled all summer,Found himself very helplessWhen the North wind came.Impossible during the dayTo warm up just one moment.He went to yell scandalTo the Sun, this vandal,Begging him to lend himSome ray to subsistUntil March or April.I will pay you, he said,Before August, if I ride,Principal andLire la suite « The cyclist and the sun »
Europe Tour – Episode XXV: A New Departure
Day 135, Nouan Le Fuzelier, 9.189 km That’s it, it’s official. I’ll go to the dark side. I’ll become a resistant. I’ll turn into a criminal. I’ll defy the prohibition. I’ll break the taboo. I’ll hit the road again. My aunt Flo will be able to sleep easy, I will stop cutting trees. Thibaut willLire la suite « Europe Tour – Episode XXV: A New Departure »
COVID stopped me…
Day 108, Nouan Le Fuzelier, 8.628 km Confucius used to say that a picture speaks more than 1000 words … Here is my picture for today: But since I have to find new occupations for the 8 hours of cycling a day that I will not be doing for the next month, I will startLire la suite « COVID stopped me… »
The return of the prodigal son
Day 95, Nouan Le Fuzelier, 7.920 km It took me 3 months, braving almost 8,000 km of roads and paths across 10 countries, overcoming the scorching heat, freezing cold, rain, snow and wind, escaping mosquitoes, geese and hedgehogs, eat kilos of rice, chocolate and dried fruits, to finally arrive home … Some of you willLire la suite « The return of the prodigal son »
Bike overboard!!
Day 92, Rouen, 7.592 km A new initiation for Jay and Bob in the last days: we went to see the sea! To be fair, we are talking about the North Sea, I did not dare to go for a dip either, but it is still the sea! And on top of things, under theLire la suite « Bike overboard!! »
He lives north, way up north
Day 89, Brussels, 7.139 km I had been warned: « well, the North in October, that’s going be tough… ». Since I’m a little stubborn (I wonder who I got this from), I found a lot of excuses to go anyway (if I wanted to see everyone, I didn’t really have a choice, better October than January,Lire la suite « He lives north, way up north »
Back to the roots
Day 83, Frankfurt, 6.597 km 8 days. An eternity. An 8 days break (I am not counting the trip to Strasbourg, I had no luggage and no mountains to climb to justify it), 8 days without biking. In one go, almost as many days off as in the previous month and a half, and ILire la suite « Back to the roots »
The longest day
Day 73, Barr, 6.084 km It flashed through my mind as I was planning my trip between Beaune and Barr: “What if …”. Then it went away quickly and I didn’t think about it anymore. And on the road to Besançon it came back: “What if I did it in one day …”. And theLire la suite « The longest day »
Autumn Break
Day 68, Beaune, 5.728 km Change of pace since the last article: I’ve spent more time eating and drinking than riding my bike during the past week. Some memorable moments anyway: part of journey at night, the 4 passes of the Chartreuse massif, the departure from La Féclaz under the storm, or the “Chemin desLire la suite « Autumn Break »
Never say never
Day 60, Lyon, 5.228 km It’s over, my pneumatic immunity is gone… The question often came up during conversations on the road: “What about incidents? – I was really lucky so far, just a spoke to change and some worn brake pads – Not a single flat tire? – Not one !” When I arriveLire la suite « Never say never »
Les jolies colonies de vacances, … (song from Pierre Perret)
For these who are not 100% familiar with French music, this might help understand the title: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeCM3V2lqfw Day 54, Clermont, 4.947 km July 1997, a small village lost in the heart of the Ardèche region, France. Little Pierre is torn between contradictory feelings: on one hand, he will have to live without his mother forLire la suite « Les jolies colonies de vacances, … (song from Pierre Perret) »
Sweet France
Day 51, Valence, 4.641 km No offense to my Berlin, Vienna and Rolle friends (and hosts), France has a little something that the countries I have just crossed do not have: it is (very) densely populated with family members, friends, friends of family members, friends of friends, etc … which makes its crossing much livelier!Lire la suite « Sweet France »
Winter is coming!
Day 48, Rolle, 4.302 km It seems that winter is coming (scientists agree that it begins around December 21, let’s see if it’s like that this year again…) and the last days have shown me that I was clearly not equipped for it… Cycling in the rain, all right, but in the snow, not allLire la suite « Winter is coming! »
Treatise on Swiss neutrality…
Day 43, Interlaken, 3.898 km I have now been in Switzerland for 4 days and, by force of circumstances, I have been around its inhabitants. I have always been told that the Swiss are neutral (a little history: since the Treaty of Paris of November 20, 1815, the European powers have recognized the perpetual neutralityLire la suite « Treatise on Swiss neutrality… »
Life for two…
Day 40, Hohenems (let’s say Bregenz), 3.486 km Two days, two stages, two bikes, two cyclists, two pairs of sunglasses, two… (I can still go on like this for a long time but we’re not going to make an article of it… let’s get back to business!!). For the first time since leaving Hamburg, ILire la suite « Life for two… »
Alps-inists !
Day 37, Innsbruck, 3.241 km What a day! This 34th day of travel will remain in history books and this for several reasons: first departure in the cold with use of the Autumn-Winter 2020 cycling outfit, a pass at 2,500 m, the 3,000 km mark reached during the descent and finally a “surprise” pass atLire la suite « Alps-inists ! »
One month already…
Day 32, Salzburg, 2.857 km Yes, it’s been a month since Bob joined us. A month of pure happiness, learning how to live with a little Dino, interrupted nights, special moments, changed diapers and prepared baby bottles… It’s also been a month since we left Hamburg. Jay took some scratches. Bob neither put on weightLire la suite « One month already… »
These little details that make all the difference…
Day 29, Graz, 2.541 km Sometimes all it takes is a little thing, that little something that makes you go from having a good time to having a bad time, that makes a good idea a bad idea, go from success to failure, from heaven to hell … (okay, I’m getting a little excited). AndLire la suite « These little details that make all the difference… »
The second plague of the cyclist
Day 25, Vienna, 2.000 km I hope that in a few months I will not be writing a post named « The Twelve Plagues of the Cyclist », but it turns out that I had to face a second challenge of nature. The rain was already something, but I didn’t expect them at all: mosquitoes (!!). ButLire la suite « The second plague of the cyclist »
One day in hell
Day 19, Olomouc, 1.636 km And I thought that it would be a piece of cake, that it would pass handily, that it would go like a knife through butter … (and the list is long, I could go on for a little while – I am not 100% sure of the English translation though,Lire la suite « One day in hell »
Prague Summer
Day 16, Prague, 1.351 km Like the Czechs in 68 (I realize that the comparison is a bit ambitious but I needed to explain the title of the article …) I have just made my own revolution: I did not pedal for a single second during the last two days! However, I still wanted toLire la suite « Prague Summer »
48 hours of the life of a cyclist
Day 14, Prague, 1.351 km You are in a small family pension on the French Riviera on a spring evening. All customers are very excited because the media have just announced that the last winner of the Tour de France was using doping products. A heated discussion ensues between the various clients of the establishment,Lire la suite « 48 hours of the life of a cyclist »
The Day I invaded Czech Republic
Day 10, Pilsen, 954 km After a week of exercising my legs on German roads, I am ready to move on elsewhere, in this specific case in the Czech Republic. Side note, I wonder when I leave Dresden why Germany isn’t called the flat country too. 500 m of elevation gain over a 500 kmLire la suite « The Day I invaded Czech Republic »
Encounters on the road: Berlin – Dresden
Day 7, Dresden, 624 km Small summary of the way I took on the map : Arrived yesterday evening in Dresden, I spent the day sightseeing (a little), eating (a lot) and resting (a lot too, including a nap in the shade of an oak tree in a park, amazing!). But I do not forgetLire la suite « Encounters on the road: Berlin – Dresden »
Berlin (was) calling : First stage
Day 4, Berlin, 344 km Before starting with the story of my adventures, I would first like to thank you all for all your messages and comments on the blog, it was a nice surprise when I turned my phone back on when I arrived in Berlin. I hope you won’t be mad at meLire la suite « Berlin (was) calling : First stage »
First Challenge : Packing…
Day -1, Hamburg, 3 km Survival course 101, end of the first day. The participants are looking at each other, frightened, not certain of what awaits them after this hard day. The instructor enters the room and tells them, « My friends, the last test of the day will not be the easiest: you will allLire la suite « First Challenge : Packing… »
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