We’re in Pau and the bikes and everything went super smooth today. Air France should teach the joyful staff of United how to operate and treat their clientele. Fantastic service. We made it to the amazing hotel here, the l’Hotel Beaumont, and made a quick trek through the centre of town to find a bike shop. There was one sacrificial lamb at some point on the trip…a bottle cage. Luckily the shop here in Pau had the same brand, just a different color. On the way back we managed to meet a typesetter and printer that uses some CLASSIC printing presses. He didn’t speak a lick of English, but we were able to “talk” and he was such a delight. That’s an art and trade that hope doesn’t go the way of Zumbaz pants from back in the day. Then we tried to get lost amid the maze of buildings and walkways below the Château de Pau before finding the entrance. We didn’t go in, but walked around the outside and it was like something out of a horrible Kevin Costner movie. Where everything looks amazing, but we didn’t have to put up with the horrific acting. I have some photos to post, but it’s late and we need to get up a bit early to figure out the daily routine.
We just finished up with dinner with the group here at the hotel. We’re stuffed to the gills. Looks and sounds like we might actually gain weight on this trip rather than lose. That doesn’t make for easy climbing, so might have to cut back on the dinner breads. No way I’m giving up “half of dessert” like some said at the table. There are eight tandoms, mostly from the Seattle area. Then there are eight singles. Two are Aussies and then some others from the western US. The Aussies and us are the only newbies on the trip. All of the others have ridden with Erickson before. So should be interesting.
Tomorrow is our first ride. We’re off to Saint Savin and are doing 63 miles with over 6,500 feet of gain. Sounds fun, right? We’re going over the Aubisque to get to the next stop.
Well, that’s it for now. Off to get a real night’s sleep. I hope.
au revoir
