May 20, 2022
To Dijon
Our group of five Cycle Blazers gathered at Beaune's Porte Saint-Nicolas at nine am for today’s ride through the vineyards of the Côte-de-Nuits to Dijon. After making sure the route was loaded into the various navigation devices, we headed north, aided by a nice little tailwind. The plan was for each to ride their own style, knowing that at various times we may fall back, get ahead, or ride together. It worked wonderfully, as we all rode at a relatively similar pace and naturally stayed fairly close together.
As the day started, we cycled through a landscape of barley and wheat, but vineyards predominated after we skirted Nuits-Saint-Georges and progressed northward. After so many miles of solo cycling, I was thrilled to be sharing the experience with our small group. I kept trying to get photos of the others on their bikes, but I definitely need some practice in setting up and executing action shots.
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Barley. The head in the bottom of the frame only shows two seed rows . This is old fashioned barley as required by the German Reinheitsgebaut (sp.) for beer making, where it will no doubt be shipped like 90 percent of all French barley.
Cheers,
Keith
2 years ago
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The highlight of the day was our visit with Susan and Keith Klein at their home in Gevrey-Chambertin, south of Dijon. We arrived about 11:30, a little hot and ready for the elevenses treats that Susan had graciously promised to provide. After the obligatory group photos, we adjourned indoors - a wonderful and comfortable space filled with the artistic talents of both Susan and Keith. The staircase was lined with some of Susan’s striking photographs, and she and Suzanne were immediately in deep conversation about photography. I commented on their impressive collection of Mission/Stickley furniture, a style of furniture that populates my house. I was astounded when Keith informed us that he had made each of the pieces – he’s been avid woodworker for the last forty years and he gave us a brief peak into his workshop before Susan called us out to the back patio for our late morning nourishment. What a spread – nuts, all sorts of dried and fresh fruit including strawberries and cherries, The best was Susan’s home-made Gougères, a chou pastry cheese puff. It was a relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable visit that was over much too soon. We had to move on before the day got too hot.
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I didn’t see your comment until just now, so please forgive my tardiness in returning my thank yous. It began as a hobby, and has become my major pastime when I’m off my bike now that I’m retired. I’ve been off the bike for almost a year because my old »friend » cancer has decided to come back. It’s taken more than a year to achieve control, and it’s only been two days since I’ve finally felt good enough to get back in the shop. And who knows? Maybe cycling is is the near future. In the meantime I follow others adventures, and occasionally host a passing cyclist or two.
Cheers,
Keith
2 years ago
2 years ago
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2 years ago
Yes that’s about all the space I have plus about a meter and a half behind the camera. When we lived in the states my shop was even smaller, but I did have a pool table in the rec-room to do assembly on!
Sorry this reply took so long. I got the journal meter hours after it was written, being in the same time zone and all.
Cheers,
Keith
2 years ago
The Stickley pieces in the photo above your portrait are your work, yes? Beautiful!
2 years ago
We didn’t linger on the way to Dijon, only ten miles distant. There was a final section through the vineyards and then we were making our way into the city proper – navigating traffic lights, bike lanes and tramways. It was both logical and crazy – with scooters, cyclists and pedestrians all flying about, ignoring the clearly marked paths and traffic signals. We reached our hotel about two-thirty, stowed our bikes, and we all disappeared into our respective tiny rooms until reconvening for dinner, an adequate meal of salads and/or pasta (Rachael had her usual, salmon). But the food was secondary to the enjoyment of being in each other’s company. It was a perfect start to our mini-group tour, and I’m looking forward to more.
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Today's ride: 32 miles (51 km)
Total: 1,014 miles (1,632 km)
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2 years ago