XIII. Finally on the road again

Captain’s Log: Saturday, 15 June 2019 Distance: Port (09:00) – Lyon (16:45), 96km Accommodation: Warmshowers Host Weather: Sun and rainstorm Today’s note to myself: Enjoy dry feet as long as you have them and don’t tell yourself that drying them didn’t have any sense, because it did.

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After enjoying a nice last breakfast at the hotel i finally hit the road again. Everything was just working fine, and even the sun was shining and there were just a few clouds. I had to drive up a little bit more, but then finally I was able to relax and just let Connen-Neute roll down the street. Until Google Maps told me to turn right, because in the bicycle mode it tries to avoid main roads. So I could have either followed the main road or Google Maps. I was in a good mood, also for detours, so I decided to try the way that was not the main road. A decision I regretted immediately, since it was going up again, and so steep that I had to push my bike again. But I told myself, maybe it will be worth it, maybe it is a nicer and less busy road up there. And it was not a long part I had to push up. Once on the top I was driving again, and it went down again, and everything was well, until I got to a gravel road. I thought, hm, maybe it will be okay, let’s try it. A decision I regretted immediately, since the “road” became worse and worse, until I could not call it a road anymore.

I just hoped that I did not need to bring my bike again into a shop after that road. But eventually at some point I reached a normal street again, from which I continued on only normal roads. Well, almost. I basically did the same mistake again shortly afterwards, but at least the view was nice there, side by side the Rhône.

But from then on I stayed on normal roads.

The whole way was mostly downhill, as it was following the Rhône downstream so I was quite fast on my way. But the closer I came to Lyon, the closer I came to the dark rain clouds. At some point I dressed up again in my rain gear, and then it started to rain lightly, which was still alright, and some thunder was above me, which was alright as well, but then! It was like opening a gate. I was not able to continue driving in the rain because the wind was coming from the front as well and I could not see anymore where I was going because it rained so heavily. I found a place behind a wall which protected me against the wind, and waited until the worst was over. It was still raining when I continued my journey, but at least I was able to see something again. Nevertheless I was completely wet again when I reached Lyon. There I let myself be navigated through the city by the voice of Google Maps, which worked surprisingly well, until I found the adress from my Warmshowers Host. (Warmshowers is like Couchsurfing but especially for bicyclists) I got a very nice welcome, and after a shower I got some places recommended to visit on my way down to the coast. After joining watching a short movie for the little child living here too (The Gruffalo or something like that, in English it has the voices from a lot of actors I know), I went for a walk with my host, now again of course in the sun, since the rainstorm passed quickly. He showed me around the city a bit, and told me places I should visit tomorrow, when I am going to have a proper look through the city again.

Afterwards we grabbed something to eat before heading back to his flat again. I just hope that the weather will be better again tomorrow.