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A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.
Lao Tzu

Beaune to Barcelona by bike

Since I was enjoying the recumbent so much I decided that cycling to Spain would be a good idea. I didn't have time to cycle all the way from England and so started at Beaune, just south of Dijon, in France. For two reasons: It was just over 1000km so I could do it in two weeks, and European Bike Express could take me and the bike there.

Date of event: 7/5/2009

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I'd thought the entire town was closed, not a soul in the streets. I'd gone into a shop to ask if they could fill my water bottle and you'd think I'd asked to drink the fresh blood of their first born; the first time I'd been anything other than happily received. Finally, I found a small restaurant in the centre of the village and had a good lunch: a very tasty fish soup, marmite (a creamy fish pie with flaky pastry top), with a small carafe of rosé Well I felt I'd suffered enough. This is the view from their terrace umbrella, where I sat on a swing seat to let my lunch go down before riding off again.

 

After leaving Nebian it was a bit tricky finding the way again. I'd knocked on someone's door in the end and asked but, as usual, when I was cycling it was difficult to tell whether the way I was told was the way I was taking. Still, it was reasonable shady, reasonable flat and that was good.

 

One of many shady plane tree lined lanes, with, as you can see, virtually no other traffic.

 

86.5km, avg 16km/hr, max 37.7km/hr

Today was going to take me within about 20 metres of the sea, though behind reeds so I didn't see it. No climbing today but a very strong wind, especially in the afternoon when I left the protection of the Canal du Midi.

 

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Lunch in Nebian
<p>I'd thought the entire town was closed, not a soul in the streets. I'd gone into a shop to ask if they could fill my water bottle and you'd think I'd asked to drink the fresh blood of their first born; the first time I'd been anything other than happily received. Finally, I found a small restaurant in the centre of the village and had a good lunch: a very tasty fish soup, marmite (a creamy fish pie with flaky pastry top), with a small carafe of ros&eacute; Well I felt I'd suffered enough. This is the view from their terrace umbrella, where I sat on a swing seat to let my lunch go down before riding off again.</p>
93

Lunch in Nebian

Shady lanes
After leaving Nebian it was a bit tricky finding the way again. I'd knocked on someone's door in the end and asked but, as usual, when I was cycling it was difficult to tell whether the way I was told was the way I was taking. Still, it was reasonable shady, reasonable flat and that was good.
94

Shady lanes

Plane Trees
One of many shady plane tree lined lanes, with, as you can see, virtually no other traffic.
95

Plane Trees

Day 12: P&eacute;zenas to Sall&egrave;les D'Aude
86.5km, avg 16km/hr, max 37.7km/hr<p>Today was going to take me within about 20 metres of the sea, though behind reeds so I didn't see it. No climbing today but a very strong wind, especially in the afternoon when I left the protection of the Canal du Midi.
96

Day 12: P&eacute;zenas to Sall&egrave;les D'Aude