As a lot of you realize, I used to be as soon as a cycle tour information in Europe (which was the genesis of this weblog). The corporate the place I labored for all these years, Blue Marble Journey, has formed my life in numerous methods however sadly now not exists. Just a few weeks in the past, I used to be again in France, driving a type of Blue Marble routes, however not as a information; this time I used to be driving solo.
It was powerful leaving Sainte Enimie for a number of causes. First, though small, I actually cherished the city; the medieval part was wonderful, and the lodge, whereas removed from extravagant, was cozy and welcoming. Second, it was going to be one other chilly (at the least for me) day. I had purposely began the journey in late September/early October since I used to be apprehensive about what could possibly be extreme warmth within the a part of France. That was by no means a priority. As we speak it was within the 40s after I wakened.
The final purpose was essentially the most daunting. Although the routes had been laid out by my former employer (a now-defunct European Cycle Tour outfit) and I had subsequently mapped them to GPS, I made all different preparations. The lodges have been all reserved on-line, the prepare tickets have been bought by way of an app, and the eating places I discovered upon arrival. However by far, the aspect of the journey that triggered nearly all my angst was baggage transportation.
Once I first began working for the corporate nevertheless many a long time in the past, we (purchasers and guides) carried every little thing on the bike. However because the years handed and everybody received older, this turned decreasingly engaging and by the final journey that I led, just about nobody carried any of their gear on the bike, all was moved by who we known as the baggagiste.
Nicely, a private baggagiste was not within the playing cards so I resorted to what I needed to do “again within the day” when the corporate’s baggage handler was some other place on the continent: I employed a taxi. The primary 4 transfers went off with out a lot of a hitch as I had contacted every of the lodges previous to my arrival in France and allow them to know that I would wish a cab to maneuver my baggage upon departure.
No downside.
Certain, it was costly (roughly 100€ a day), however within the grand scheme, it was a comparatively small worth to pay for an unlimited comfort. Then got here Sainte Enimie. The lodge, in each different means fairly fabulous, had not responded to my electronic mail about needing a cab upon departure. I used to be not overly apprehensive as a few taxi providers have been within the city.
Or so I believed.
It turned out that there was solely one such service and after I known as upon arriving in Sainte Enimie the night time earlier than, he instructed me there was no means he might do it. “Pas potential.” So, I went to mattress pondering that there could be at greatest, a little bit of a scramble within the morning to discover a cab. At worst? I actually didn’t need to think about the worst-case state of affairs.
Within the morning, after calling a taxi within the arrival city, Meyrueis, and being shunned there, too, I made a decision to name the native taxi as soon as once more on a whim. The dialog transpired as if it have been the primary time we had ever spoken: “Bien sûr, je peux prendre vos valises à Meyrueis, je partirai vers 11;00, ça vous convient?” (After all, I can take your baggage to Meyrueis, I’ll go away round 11:00, does that give you the results you want?”
Gotta love the French.
The trip, whereas not notably difficult, was pretty easy (just one flip in 35 miles), but additionally promised to be spectacular with the primary half within the Gorges du Tarn and the second within the Gorges de la Jonte.
Although I used to be unhappy to go away Sainte Enimie, inside 5k I used to be upon the even tinier city of Saint-Chély-du-Tarn, which was wonderful.
I like doorways.
Whereas the entire city of Saint-Chély was wonderful, I used to be captivated by the tiny chapel.
I had lunch in La Malène, which consisted of boar sausage and aligot, which is a tacky mashed potato facet, and is scrumptious.
La Malène additionally has its personal medieval part of city, together with this chateau the place I ate lunch.
The surroundings was, effectively, attractive (sorry, I needed to).
Should you look intently, you’ll be able to see my bike, which is definitely fairly giant…
Meals choices in Meyrueis have been considerably restricted, so I did what I nearly by no means do in France, I ate a pizza (which was scrumptious).
That’s all for this leg of the journey, again once more subsequent week with extra!
