Haarlem September 3, 1997
Lanslebourg-Aix-les-Bains-Mervans-Dijon-Haarlem
The two days of riding from Lanslebourg to Mervans made up about 335 km or roughly 100 mi per day as the route descended from the Haute-Savoie, so mostly downhill to Aix-les-Bains, then level through Bourg-en-Bresse (famous for its chickens) to Mervans. Still it was easily my highest 2 day total ever, especially good after the Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved road in Europe, the day before.

Out of 24 days of riding, the 80 km stretch from Mervans to Dijon was the only one in steady rain. My new shoes got soaked in spite of the booties, but quickly dried when it cleared that afternoon. The hostel in Dijon is very fancy (they insist you use their free sheets), but heavily subsidized so the price is the normal $10 for bed and breakfast. Two days in the cafes and touring the city with Michele, where it was quite an experience to regularly talk with people on the street or in cafes that neither of us knew. For its size, a most friendly place. While in Dijon, bought a special bike bag required for the TGV, rather too big to lug along on a trip, but easily mailed. It worked great as did the TGV Dijon-Paris and the Thalys Paris-Amsterdam. Just about 7 1/2 hours travel.

Riding my bike from Centraal Station to Stadsdoelen I was really surprised to see the streets so packed I had to get off my bike and walk. Well it was Uitmarkt the huge opening of the cultural season and Klovienersburgwal was at the center of it. Besides the usual venues, there were many podiums set up on floating barges in the canals with all sorts of music and dance performances all weekend. Resting a little here and researching a ticket back to NY. Depending on this, a little tour of Nord Holland might be in the offing.

It seems that my mobile connection is back working since leaving France, perhaps next year it will be sorted out.