Bike Across France : Days 1-3

Day 1 : Aime -> Voreppe 

100 miles, 2000ft climbing most on "La Belle Via" which is a bike route consisting of bike paths and very rural roads. 

Today was quite an incredible start and I can only hope it continues. Perfect pavement and almost no cars. Super cool how easy the navigation is with all the signs! 

We worked our way out of the Alps and into flatter country. So lush and green. Lots of agriculture and so many smells. 

Stayed in a cheap but comfortable hotel. Only challenge was we were not allowed to bring our bikes in our rooms. He asked that we lock them up outside... No. We found a solution were he kept them secure for us. 

Dinner was the best pizza I've had in France. 

Day 2 : Voreppe -> Beauvene 

104mi, 3,500ft climbing. 

It was hot today! 32C (90+F) and humid. I drank 10 bottles over the 9hr. We rode La Belle Via to the Via Rhona to La Dolce Via. All are incredible. La Dolce Via is a old railway that was converted to a bike path. Surprise it has lots of hard packed gravel sections. Today also had hours of biking on tiny one lane paved roads through walnut orchards. So shaded and pretty! 

If anybody has an interest in bike touring France go to the France Vélo Tourisme site link. It's quite impressive. There are restaurants and hotels all along the routes. 

After leaving the Rhône river we angled into the hills and gorges. Totally different scenery that we are used to. Beautiful and different. 

La Dolce Via

We found a little gem of a hotel to stay at.  l'Étape Dumas with the kindest people and wonderful food. Bike storage and a very relaxing atmosphere.

Hands and crotch are already feeling the abuse from the bike. 6 days of this might get difficult. How do professional cyclists do this everyday. Hopefully the body adapts. 

Day 3 : Beauvene -> Châteauneuf-du-Randon

120km with 7,500ft of climbing (Yes, I'm mixing Metric and Freedom Units, deal with it. Ha)

Today we left La Dolce Via and started our own route. It was a hard one through beautiful scenery. We climbed back up to 1400m and got to coast a bit at times. 

We decided to camp for the night as we couldn't find any cheap places to stay. Found a lovely campground with showers and a little kitchenette.