Meursault to Tournus: Two different rides in one day

September 19, 2017

The day began well with a veritable feast of pastries from the bakery. To really make things perfect, there was peanut butter. Since I consider it a food group, and it is difficult to find in Europe, I was in food heaven. We took a little more time packing up. It is amazing how far you can spread out in two days. The peloton was going to Beaune for a day of cultural enrichment and wine tasting, and Keith and I turned the bikes south towards Tournus.

Saying goodbye. It was a great visit in great company.

The ride from Meaursault to Chalon Sur Soane is one of the reasons we bike tour. We just cruised along the canal and we were going down river (down canal??). Flat riding, beautiful scenery, interesting people and a great bike ride. No navigational issues - canal to our left? We are on the track. Just in case that was tough for us to figure out, the signage was in all the right places. We just cruised along.

We saw several bike and barge boats, always waiting at locks. We spoke to one man from Toronto. They were having a wonderful time, but were doing three locks that day, which meant the barge was only moving a few km, if that. That was interesting. We don't know if it is like that each day. Keith thought it would be a bit boring, but the drinks being served looked pretty good to me 😜.

We stopped in Chalon Sur Soane for a lunch and a look around. It is a pretty spot, but we weren't wowed by it. Keith checked his GPS and casually said that he thought it would be a canal ride all the way to Tournus. That had me expecting a quick 35 km on a blissful, paved, well marked bike path. It didn't turn out that way!!

Chalon Sur Soane wasn't exactly hopping.

So our second and completely different ride started almost immediately after Chalon Sur Soane. We tried the canal path, but it was French gravel. So we headed out on the D roads, and that was excellent. We were flying along until we decided to try canal side again. Big mistake. More French gravel and then we went over a cattle guard and were in a field with the cows. So we turned around and followed D roads to Sennecey Le Grand. What a cool spot. But at this point the D road became very busy with trucks and we were looking for alternatives. We visited tourist information and they had advice, a bike map and were great.

Our unexpected sight of the day. A French chateau that has seen better days.

Keith went inside looking for spare bike parts.

From the back. It was a fire we are pretty sure. What a shame.

We rode in the sunshine almost the entire way from Chalon Sur Soane, but look what was around us. We didn't get wet though!

This is one of the fascinating things we would miss in a car. This sign was about the size of a sheet of paper.

Sennecey Le Grand was a really neat small town.

The last 10 km into Tournus were drama free. We followed minor roads until we were on the Soane. We are comfortable in the Hotel Sauvage and have had a delicious dinner in a creperie. The only downside is that the wifi is down. I am doing my best in the lobby and completely distracted by the movie 'The Planet of the Apes' in French which is on the TV in the lobby and being watched by a couple of 6 year olds who are keeping me up in the plot in crystal clear French. The whole thing is so funny I can't begin to describe it.

Dramatic skies. We can't believe that we didn't get rained on.

I have completed this over coffee and breakfast. Keith is reading the paper using Google translate and we are off shortly. I think Planet of the Apes ends in French the same way it does in English but I didn't stay up to find out. It is sunny this morning! Watch our Relive and you will see some of the navigational hiccups that occurred 👍
https://www.relive.cc/view/1191558633

Today's ride: 86 km (53 miles)
Total: 1,128 km (700 miles)

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