From Home to Eternity

I'm writing this from the comfort of the TGV on my way to Toulouse.  It's 8:30 in the morning and the French countryside is rocketing by the window at over 300 km/hr.  Since last I wrote, I've completed around 30 hours of non-stop travel - finally arriving in Paris at around 11:30 local time.  A brief moment of panic as we were told that the bicycles would come out at about three different locations but after a brief wait - I was reunited with all of my luggage - time to relax!!  A quick transfer to our hotel where the bike was assembled in record time before we set off at 2:00 for a gentle 40km shake down ride. 

I think it's fair to say that the whole travelling caper is tough.  I probably slept for three hours all of the way over and by the time I arrived I was ready to find a mattress and pilow for a little bit of quality nap time.  I toughed it out though, and stayed awake until after dinner.  Dinner was at a local restaurant about 5 minutes walk from the hotel.  The meal was typically French - a meal the "healthy heart" people would definitely not endorse. Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce, potatoes with a beautiful creamy sauce followed by a beautiful mini dark chocolate and banana tart.  Topped off with a glass of local petty poor red, I am happy to report that once desert was finished there was an almost immediate parade of tired travellers heading straight back to the hotel and bed. 

Riding on the "wrong" side of the road is going to take some getting used to - the cars come at you from all of the wrong directions.  The rules seem to be chain set to the curb and look for cars like in Sesame street.  Already the French motorists have demonstrated a far greater respect for cyclists than I've ever experienced.  Truck, yes that right, trucks wait patiently to pass and give you a wide berth.  Our ride was a very easy spin - which was just what I needed to get the legs going again.  Even though we are staying close to the airport, it wasn't long before we were on quiet country roads and rolling through quaint little villages.  It was amazing to see rolling wheat fields and have the strong smell of "the country" to deal with so close to Paris.  We had a little shower of rain on the ride - just enough to get the bikes dirty and us a little wet but by the time we got back we were mostly dry.  With that first ride out of the way I was very happy.

Today is a transfer day for us.  Most people are on the bus to Toulouse, while three of us opted for the TGV.  Our hotel in Toulouse is on the finishing line today and by taking the the train - I will definitely be there to see the finish of the race.  There is no guarantee that the bus will make the finish on time and frankly, I couldn't face the prospect of another 8 or 9 hours cooped up on another form of transport.  My TGV companions are heading off to the Airbus factory straight from the TGV -so I'll be flying solo today.  I knew I should have listened to those learn French tapes!!!!