I really need to put a map together
I have found some great things, and some things to avoid. I sure have learned a lot from being on the road here in France. I really need to put a map together to summarize all the places that are great to ride a bike in France, and towns that are fun to visit. At home in Colorado, I can read all I want, and research galore, and look at google earth from all angles, but the only way to really know an area is to go, (or ask someone who lives here).
I am pretty sure we all share common delights when we travel. I am also pretty sure we may have common experiences when we ride a bike in France. Which might lead to common questions, those questions might include:
- Does anyone actually inhabit these small towns I pass through (and if so why are all the shutters closed and no one around)?
- Why don't the cafes seem to serve food (and all have male waiters)?
- If the shop says it opens at 14:00, why is no one around at 15:00?
- Why didn't someone tell me to incorporate not having to pee for 8 hours into my cycling training?
- How can every road in France be under construction?
- Why did they pave every path and hillside to begin with?
- How many tons of gravel does this country use in a year (according to the number of Gravillon signs - it is a lot!)
- Why do horse flys even exist?
- Do church bells ring all night? (and do birds sing louder in France, or what?)
- Why do the French drink such light beer?
- Why will the road signs say 13%, but the cycling maps say the road averages 7.5%? (I want credit for my 13% effort)
- Why do 85 year old ladies ride bikes to the markets in France, but not in America?
- Why are the same 6 pop songs on French radio over and over again?
- Do they really need 2 huge rows of cookies (biscuits) in the super market?
- Why are espressos served in 1 ounce cups?
- Why do they say yes three times in a row?
- Why haven't the French adopted Happy Hour with food and drink?
- And finally, what would it be like to live in France?
