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As a lot of , 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. A couple of weeks in the past, I used to be again in France, using a type of Blue Marble routes, however not as a information; this time I used to be using solo.
It was powerful leaving Sainte Enimie for a number of causes. First, though small, I actually liked the city; the medieval part was superb, and the resort, 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 anxious about what could possibly be extreme warmth within the a part of France. That was by no means a priority. Right this moment it was within the 40s after I wakened.
The final purpose was essentially the most daunting. Despite the fact that 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 accommodations had been all reserved on-line, the prepare tickets had been bought by means of an app, and the eating places I discovered upon arrival. However by far, the component of the journey that precipitated virtually all my angst was baggage transportation.
After I first began working for the corporate nevertheless many a long time in the past, we (purchasers and guides) carried all the things on the bike. However because the years handed and everybody bought older, this grew to become decreasingly enticing and by the final journey that I led, nearly nobody carried any of their gear on the bike, all was moved by who we referred to as the baggagiste.
Properly, 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 accommodations 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.
Positive, it was costly (roughly 100€ a day), however within the grand scheme, it was a comparatively small worth to pay for an infinite comfort. Then got here Sainte Enimie. The resort, in each different method fairly fabulous, had not responded to my e mail about needing a cab upon departure. I used to be not overly anxious as a few taxi providers had been within the city.
Or so I believed.
It turned out that there was solely one such service and after I referred to as upon arriving in Sainte Enimie the evening earlier than, he instructed me there was no method he may do it. “Pas attainable.” So, I went to mattress considering that there could be at finest, a little bit of a scramble within the morning to discover a cab. At worst? I actually didn’t need to contemplate 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 had 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?” (In fact, I can take your baggage to Meyrueis, I’ll depart round 11:00, does that give you the results you want?”
Gotta love the French.
The journey, whereas not notably difficult, was pretty simple (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.
Despite the fact that 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 superb.
I like doorways.
Whereas the entire city of Saint-Chély was superb, 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 aspect, 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, properly, beautiful (sorry, I needed to).
For those who look carefully, you may see my bike, which is definitely fairly giant…
Meals choices in Meyrueis had been considerably restricted, so I did what I virtually 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!
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