The Wandering Idiot

There hasn’t really been too much to report on the riding side. As mentioned before tomorrow I am going to Paris to run a quick errand and then come back to Rouen Sunday evening continue my ride South.

Breakfast at the B&B was lovely…the dining room is just filled with fantastic rustic furniture and the smell of the wood stove. Nothing like fresh baguettes and jam!

Raoul and Miro diggin brekkie

Taking advantage of the free WiFi to update the blog

At lunch on the dockside in Honfluer, Roaul and I thought we’d try a beer we’d never heard of before, Panache…we thought hey ‘how about trying a beer with some panache! Brilliant!’ Turns out I learned a new word today…panache is a lemonade shandy…was quite surprised when my beer turned out to be cringingly sweet. I guess that’s why the waitress gave us a funny look when the two of us enthusiastically ordered, ‘Duex panache, sil vous plais!’

Feeling panache?

I wanted to take a moment to give some thanks to Raoul’s trusty Muddy Fox. This bicycle is certainly older than me and took the challenge of the last few days in great stride. What a champion. Not a bad result for a hand-me-down bike. It didn’t falter once and took the miles brilliantly.

Raoul with the Fantastic Mr. Fox

There were also two big changes today. One is that Tanya, Raoul, and Miro headed back to the UK today. After lunch and a few hours to potter around Honfluer, before they drove me back to Rouen where I had a couch surfing host waiting! Brilliant.

Was quite a moment for me when I parted ways with them…it meant that my tour was actually starting…it has felt something like a holiday with friends while they were here. But now – it’s real…and a little scary.

The final shot before parting ways

The second big change is that I have actually got myself organized and started putting together a real route plan. Before I came to France I kind of had a whole ‘just get over there, ride when you want, eat when you are hungry, sleep when tired’ attitude. I guess I was a little naive coming into this thinking that I could just wing it. But I now realize that a little planning goes a hell of a long way.

In the evening, I was hosted by Jean-Pierre (a keen cyclist himself) through Couchsurfing. He has been a great host and a friend of his came over for dinner (chicken and rice…nice). We had the usual banter over beers and they were hugely instrumental in helping me choose a route which would allow me to take in some sights, see some great cities, and avoid the cold as winter sets in. A little local knowledge goes a long way! They also introduced me to viamichelin.com to plan the routes and get a gauge on distances between towns. It has also helped me judge where I will be when so that I can contact Couchsurfing hosts well in advance.

My Couchsurfing host in Rouen, Jean-Pierre

Once I get further south, the tent will come more into play, but for now I’m just trying to avoid the elements – and for all you out there sending me messages about getting camping – yes I am avoiding it for the moment.

Things are ok, but I do feel slightly stuck as I won’t be back on the bike until Monday….I’m really anxious to get going south and try out my new system of couchsurfing and Viamichelin routes…but for now I will just enjoy Paris for the next two days.

Ok…that’s all for now.

Watch this space!

The Metropole - my second home in Rouen - great coffee and free WiFi - what more do you need!

15km Bicycled Today

323km to Date