Jons

August 13, 2016

We had a comfortable time in our chateau and a really delicious breakfast with the pastries still warm - I think I ate rather too many of them but never mind my meal last night was not generous.

Today's ride really illustrated this part of the Via Rhona very well. First we were on a glass smooth cycle track beside the river with perfect signage. Even though we had left relatively early there were lots of other cyclists and the parking areas at each end of the track were full of cars who had dropped off those going for a day ride. We glided along looking across the considerable plain to the cliffs, odd spires added to the view and we could see villages but as often on such a cycleway you are not taken through them though we did come to one however, it was much too early for even us to stop for coffee particularly after our very substantial breakfast.

We came to the end of the section at a car park and then everything changed. Now there was virtually no signage at all and we were picking our way along small country roads through a vaste plain of very healthy looking corn. We came to the pretty little town of Blyes and were hopeful we would find a bar for a cafe but no luck, however there was a small epicere where we bought a drink and while we were sitting in the park saw another touring cyclist but he was to far away to talk to. Blyes seems very quiet perhaps it is because the Mayor has prohibited Pokemons from the village. On we went and came to St Maurice de Gourdons which was throbbing with life and had a PMU where we could get ourselves a coffee. Not only that there was Carl sitting under a tree drinking water and chawing on a baguette. He was a the touring cyclist we had seen earlier. He was from Munich and had two weeks to make his way down the Via Rhona, he had the same guide book as we had but much better maps. The GPS however came to our rescue and gave us a perfect route to Jons where our Best Western Hotel is. We were both getting hungry but not a single seat along the way and we ended up on the wall outside the hotel having our lunch. It was a social time. First Carl came along and Ken helped him get his bike down the steps to the cycleway and we wished him bonne route. Then along came John. John is a road cyclists, an Aussie who has lived and worked in this area for 26 years. It was interesting talking to him about what it was like being an Aussie working in France

This Simca Arond was staying at the Chateau last night. The owners were very cool you can just see them going inthe door

This V12 E type Jaquar was looking for small roads

Today's ride: 43 km (27 miles)
Total: 507 km (315 miles)

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