Day 39, Wednesday, HAPPY July 4 – Perpignan to Narbonne, France
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Another beautiful, cool, albeit windy morning.
As soon as we were out of town our road became one with the highway. Though it was only for 5 to 6 miles, we had to get off after only three; just did not seem safe. Unfortunately, there was no other road that took us ‘directly’ in the direction we needed to go. We wound our way through small towns,
with neat and clean streets lined with flowers
and small country roads
stopping often to decide on a turn. Several times we were offered assistance, by anyone nearby. Once such case, an older gentleman on a bike stopped to see if we needed help. He explained to us in perfect French which way to go. He found us several blocks later at a crossroads, knowing we had not understood his original instructions, and led us to the rode that we needed to be on.
Though it was a beautiful ride, 
it took us an hour and a half to reach the coast
and turn north, into a stiff headwind, and begin to make forward progress. With the wind in our face, it was slow progress, but this new course offered us scenery we had not expected
and climbs we had not anticipated.
But as always seems to be the case, the climbs gave us nice vistas.
At one point, ran into a couple of nice guys from Amsterdam,
Emmanuel and Huig, that pointed us in the right direction. Shortly before noon, the wind (still in our face) brought on a summer storm with thunder and lightening.
Out in the middle of grape vines with no place to hide, we prayed it would pass us without causing problems. Though we saw puddles from the storm, it passed and left us unscathed; it was the climbing that was killing us. For three hours we battled ups and downs into the wind until we reached our destination. We biked into the center of town and began to search for a hotel, only to find we’d passed (several miles back) the only ones available. Did some running of errands, shower, steak and baked potato and bed….after 53 miles, we were toast! As a side note: though the prices in France are MUCH higher, the people have been overwhelming friendly 🙂
Ken and Don Says:
Happy 4th to both of you!
Ken and Don Says:
Looks like you’re over a week ahead of when the Tour de France comes through near where you’ll be tomorrow (Le Cap d’Agde):
http://www.letour.fr/2012/TDF/COURSE/us/le_parcours.html
Jim & Denyce Says:
Bonjour J & L
Seems that Arles is on your route. Vincent Van
Gogh lived there for many years and was the inspiration for many of his paintings. There is a plaque on the river where he sat and painted “Starry Night” and the same buildings in the picture are still there today. Check it out. A nearby city that does not appear to be on your route, but maybe should be, is Avignon. The seat of the Roman Catholic Church was moved there during the 1400’s and the buildings are awesome. It is also the home of Chateauneuf du Pope wine. You guessed it; wine of the Pope.
Au Revoir
Jerry and Lori Says:
Thanks for the info….we are going through Arles as it stands now. Our bodies are very tired so we have decided to be in Marseille on Sunday night….therefore cutting back to 40 miles a day. Will not make it to Avignon since it is a little out of our way. By the way, as you know, France is rediculously expense….paid $7 for a small beer and $15 for a hamburger. Hopefully Italy will be more like Spain. Later
Billy Bob Says:
Tried to send you a pick of the boston butts yesterday by phone….no luck I guess. Looks like your 4th wasn’t that bad….Miss you guys….It’s hot and the water is like swimming in tea. We had two fire work shows this year…..Another group but a barge on the water east of Lessner Birdge…..Good show. VBall up on walke. Keep peddlin
Jerry and Lori Says:
Do not …and I mean DO NOT send me a picture of your Butt…..