To Dijon - Three Seasons Around France: Spring - CycleBlaze

May 20, 2022

To Dijon

I said I was going to keep these posts brief since others are also describing the same day, and I meant it.  I’m a man of my word and feel honor-bound.  So just a few brief comments:

  • The ride was as effortless as could be, with a tailwind that seemed to keep strengthening all day long.  The same distance and elevation as our ride into Beaune two days ago, but it felt much easier.
  • Two thirds of the way through the ride we stopped in at Keith and Susan’s home and enjoyed a refreshing late morning meal in the shade of the awning in their back yard overlooking a vineyard that begins just yards away.  It’s enough to provoke modest feelings of envy and thoughts of how differently life can turn out depending on your choices.  
  • We got an early start, convening at 9 AM sharp and to beat the heat on a day that hit 85.  We didn’t arrive in Dijon until after two, by which time it was definitely warming up; but with the high wind ventilating us it was never uncomfortable.
  • We’re all staying at the same hotel in central Dijon.  Our room is very small, as I believe all three are.  
  • Since our room is very small, it took only a few minutes to confirm that I’ve lost my glasses sometime over the last two days.  Very disheartening, but still I can take some pride in knowing it’s been nearly a year since I lost the last pair.  That’s progress, actually.
  • It’s an uncommon pleasure to have friends along for the ride and to share the evening with; and it’s quite different to bike with other dedicated photographers and see cameras pointing back your way for a change.

Some pics and a video from the day:

Reviewing the game plan.
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The Gang of Four, take 1.
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Susan.
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Rocky.
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Wine country.
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Looking west at the Côte d’Or escarpment.
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The Gang of Four, take 2.
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The look for much of the ride. By early afternoon it will look different though, with grain rippling in waves and bent northward from the wind.
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In Corgoloin.
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I saw this spot coming on the map and sprinted ahead (well, in at least my slow excuse for a sprint) to get positioned for a photo. I’ve been waiting awhile, zoomed in on the farthest visible point of the road. Finally a lone figure approaches.
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Completing the set.
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ann and steve maher-wearyThe perfect shot in the s bend. We are impressed by your foresight and planning on the shots. Excellent
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2 years ago
Beneath the Eglise de Premeaux-Prissey.
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I don’t think we’ve seen another wine region where manual labor was so predominant.
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The Gang of Four, take 3.
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Descending to Flagey-Echézeaux.
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The Gang of Four, take 4.
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At sea in the barley. Or the bearded wheat, Keith?
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Keith KleinHi,
Look at the head. If there are six rows of seeds it’s wheat, if not it’s probably barley (2 or 4 rows). Some wheats have fewer rows, but most bread wheat is six row.

Cheers,
Keith
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2 years ago
Scott AndersonTo Keith KleinToo complicated! I’m getting too old to remember something like that (and maybe I’ve had too much barley along the way). It’s all barley to me.
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2 years ago
In the Côte d’Or.
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Still approaching Flagey-Echézeaux.
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Flagey-Echézeaux, if my notes are right. Another place I’ve never heard of, but probably all the wine aficionados are well familiar with it. (Wait, we’ve just received an expert’s opinion: it’s Morey-St. Denis.)
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Keith KleinNot F-E. ItsMorey- St. Denis.
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2 years ago
A romantic image that looks from a different age.
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Just another wine village ahead.
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Just happen to have my little tripod handy for that special occasion.
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Six in Europe. A new CycleBlaze record!
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Kathleen JonesRock stars, all of you.
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2 years ago
So why didn’t we decide to do this 21 years ago , Rocky?
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Dijon comes into view, on the far left.
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Video sound track: Thank You For Being a Friend, by Andrew Gold

Oh, wait!  Make that two videos.

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Ride stats today: 32 miles, 1,100’; for the tour: 1,914 miles, 98,200’

Today's ride: 32 miles (51 km)
Total: 1,942 miles (3,125 km)

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Comment on this entry Comment 4
Emily SharpAlways nice to see some familiar faces and a change of pace a couple months into a tour. Hope you get some cooler weather/less humidity soon, too!
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2 years ago
Janos KerteszLove your videos, Rachel!
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2 years ago
Rachael AndersonThanks! I can’t wait to see what you captured!
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2 years ago
Tricia GrahamThe third version doesn’t disappoint. It is fun following the Famous Five
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2 years ago