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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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It was a beautiful introduction to France and my first day on the bike: a long cycle path with no cars, and, most importantly for my tired, no sleep self, flat.

At this point it was still only 8.00 in the morning.

 

This is Cluny, glimpsed through the trees, it was still only just before 10.00 in the morning but I didn't want to go any further. Largely because from here I had to make a decision about which way to go next, down the Rhone valley, the flatter version, or westward and over the hills. All of this because I was following a dutch guide book by Benjaminse.

Actually, while I'm on the point I can't recommend this book highly enough. It somehow manages to choose the quietest tiny roads in France, with the least ascent and the most descent, through the prettiest parts. It was great, I must buy part one that goes from Amsterdam to Beaune to do the whole thing next year.

In the end I decide to for the hillier version, not because I like hills but I do like the views.

 

Day two, 6th July, was Cluny to Charlieu. 5.5 hours of riding, 74km distance, max speed 50km/hr and 13.7km average.

Actually there's one other statistic about Cluny that's worth mentioning. It was from a small patisserie that I bought what turned out to be the very best pain au amande that I'd get during the whole trip.

Later note: I've done quite a few trips through France now and this is possibly the best pain aux amandes in the whole of France.

 

Though not that early, this photo was time-stamped at 7.16am. It was, as alway's a lovely start to the day. The first part of the ride was largely uphill for the first 30km and downhill for the remaining 40 odd km.

This is one of many photos with my foot appearing in the bottom of the shot - photos from a recumbent ;-)

 

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Wide open spaces
It was a beautiful introduction to France and my first day on the bike: a long cycle path with no cars, and, most importantly for my tired, no sleep self, flat.<p>At this point it was still only 8.00 in the morning.
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Wide open spaces

Cluny
<p>This is Cluny, glimpsed through the trees, it was still only just before 10.00 in the morning but I didn't want to go any further. Largely because from here I had to make a decision about which way to go next, down the Rhone valley, the flatter version, or westward and over the hills. All of this because I was following a dutch guide book by Benjaminse.</p><p>Actually, while I'm on the point I can't recommend this book highly enough. It somehow manages to choose the quietest tiny roads in France, with the least ascent and the most descent, through the prettiest parts. It was great, I must buy part one that goes from Amsterdam to Beaune to do the whole thing next year.</p><p>In the end I decide to for the hillier version, not because I like hills but I do like the views.</p>
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Cluny

Day 2: Cluny to Charlieu
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Day 2: Cluny to Charlieu

Early morning
Though not that early, this photo was time-stamped at 7.16am. It was, as alway's a lovely start to the day. The first part of the ride was largely uphill for the first 30km and downhill for the remaining 40 odd km.<p>This is one of many photos with my foot appearing in the bottom of the shot - photos from a recumbent ;-)
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Early morning