We are on the road! Of course, we (well, mainly Jim) had to get our bikes re-assembled first. He did a great job and we have been riding without any problems.
We started riding on Sunday with a slow tour around Paris. Not my favorite bit since we had to ride all together very slowly (Flora, think sticky rice) with innumerable starts and stops. But it was unique to ride to the Ile de la Cite, the Eiffel Tower, down the Champs Elysees (cobblestone!), and around the Arc de Triomphe
. And then off into the French countryside. Imagine our surprise at traveling thousands of miles to find ourselves riding in wheat fields. Yes, we were in the “Palouse of France”. Some of the roads have been very busy two lane highways with no shoulder but the French drivers have been extraordinarily courteous. Even big trucks and buses pull way over. There have been strong winds but they have mainly been tail winds so it is hard to complain.
Our first night of camping (Not my favorite activity!) was at a working farm. I wish I could have recorded the sounds over night. Braying donkeys, honking geese, and several roosters who were intent on out-doing each other at dawn. Yawn, sigh.
After only 2 days of riding we are on a rest day in Troyes (pronounced twa). It is Bastille Day in France so last night was full of festivities. Lovely architecture,
good food, and a bed. Tomorrow we are back on the road for 4 days. One hundred and 38 km tomorrow so it will be a challenge. There are some very strong riders who are virtually racing each day but we are trying to pace ourselves and stop to “smell the roses” along the way. We will be quite happy to simply pedal all the way to Istanbul.
I bid you all adieu, bon soir and Happy Bastille Day.
Wish us luck tomorrow!
Ps. For those of you expressed curiosity about Jim’s nose, you can select from the following options for an explanation:
A). He was in a bar brawl in Paris
B). He was overly familiar with a buxom young French lass
C). He had a skin cancer removed from his nose 3 days before our trip
oldfolkswithbikes 
…I would like to think that maybe it was A or B, but I am guessing it is C. Hope he is doing okay. Hope the 138 km is going well – I know you can do it! I love your comment about the “Palouse of France” paints a good picture. Thinking about you riding today, glad to hear you’re stopping to smell the roses!
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I am excited for your next installment! your pictures are beautiful!
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Thanks Jenny and to everyone who has been posting comments. We feel like you are right here with us. My time is limited to get on line but love hearing from you. Gotta hit the hay for an early start tomorrow. Hopefully no heat like you experienced during the ironman!
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I am loving receiving this! Good luck with the next long stretch!! Sandy
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Thank you for sharing your adventure!
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Sounds and looks beautiful. Can’t wait to hear about the next part of your trip. Enjoy
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So awesome! (I am not a wee bit jealous – LOL!) Be safe and have fun. This is quite an adventure and I am glad you are sharing it. I look forward to reading more about your journey.
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Nice pictures! Gideon says Jim is looking remarkably well after his bar brawl in Paris.
– Gideon
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