the extremes

So I guess I didn't realize how remote I would really end up being in france but let's just say that we stayed in some towns with 3 buildings and a horse and that was it. This is extremely painful to type on a french keyboard so I will summarize.

Fri - travel day. tried to change train ticket to earlier but failed due to lack of french speaking ability (i really should have tried to take that class huh). Ended up in Souillac at 10 pm walking to my hotel in the dark - good thing i have a roller bag.

Sat - got my bike - it is old school - gear shifters on frame itself - it is very hot. several in the group opt to take a shorter route. I followed a longer route with others and ended up catching up to short route people collapsed by the side of the road. They taxi to the destination. We stay in a beautiful village on the hillside. 66 K today due to a wrong turn uphill.

Sun - Opt to do short route with others - still hot. Detoured up to the village of conques. 60 K

Mon - Long day of 75 K of which there is 12 K continuous uphill. That hurt. Learned that everything in france closes on Mondays and also between 12 and 2. Have now learned by now that french food is too rich for me. Fancy meals are completely wasted though I do like dessert. Also everyone in the group is much older (40s and 50s) so they appreciate fine wine and drink profusely every night whereas I pass on all that. I think they think I am weird).

Tue - 2 big hills that take the whole day (60K). Now we are in the gorges. Weather finally cooler so there is rejoicing. Legs still sore.

Wed - Go kayaking down the gorge in very shallow water. Starts pouring rain when we stop kayaking. Freezing drippy biking. Arrive for our chateau stay for 2 nights. dinner consists of foie gras, smoked salmon, and much cheese. I crave rice and veggies.

Thu - Still raining but drag myself out into it and do a short ride today of 18 K but half of that is uphill. I must be getting stronger because that was less painful than it used to be or maybe it is because I realize it is warmer to bike uphill in the rain. Visited this famous grotto but unfortunely it was 10 degrees celsius in there so I was freezing.

Two more days left in france and I must say I am excited to move on to italian food soon. I was surprised to find such an older range of people on this trip but these folks are all long time blue marble trip people so at one time they used to be in their 30s when they started out. Apparently these bike tours by this company are 60-70 % alumni and I can see why.