Menton (France)

August 18, 2019

Adio Italia to amiano

The wooden door is the door to our apartment which was on the first floor

We loved San Remo it is such a vibrant city. When we came out for dinner - a bit early of course- it was alive with people and by the time we were half way through our last real Italian meal the restaurant was full.

This morning when we emerged the cafes were already in business so we were able to get a cappuccino and brioche con marmalate for breakfast. Yesterdays rail trail continued, already it was being used and as we looked out at the beaches though there weren’t huge numbers, people were already swimming. The last part of the cycle way is an about 2km tunnel. This has been set up as a museum to the Spring Milan to San Remo Cycle race. The first one of the pro racing season it is held in March and at 294km is the longest one day cycle race in the world - it is described as largely flat but I dont see how it can be. All along the tunnel is information telling you of the event and its notable riders. What interested me most was the information on the Belgian Eddy Mercs who has won it the most times. During this years Tour de France, as le grand depart was in Brussels, he was featured a lot and I thought a charmer. After the tunnel we were back on the SS1 with its usual climbs over headlands but today the gradient was more reasonable as we mixed with the Sunday serious training cyclists. We were keen to stop for our last Cappuccino in Italy - Ventimiglia is the last town of any size so we stopped there and sat and people watched for some time as we had such a short distance to do today. Up and down and up and down and we were at the French border and the bord looking border control even said Bonjour to me

The motorway high up but we were to climb almost up to it

As we drank our coffee we watched the almost impossible job of loading this car. Perhaps a small girls party

As we came across the border we could see the old town of Menton in the distance Our hotel was there and easy to find. I loved booking in because at last I could have a conversation (be it very basic) with the girl checking us in and she didn’t have to try to talk in English to me. We deposited our bikes and luggage and they kindly said we could go and have some breakfast However we headed to the beach looking for a beach restaurant and had a beer while we watched the goings on. Then moved to another one for lunch. It is Sunday but surprisingly a supermarket was open so tonight we will sit out on our balcony and eat one of our favourite Sabado salads and drink a bottle of Rose. Life is good.

Today's ride: 28 km (17 miles)
Total: 1,147 km (712 miles)

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