A Bicycle Expedition and Culinary Conquest of Spain and France

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Day 8: Saint Cirq Lapoppie to Laguiole

Good evening from the Massif Central, nearly 3,000 ft above sea level.

Well, the first leg of the trip has ended and we are still physically (and mentally)

Some stats from the trip

Time bicycling: more than 32 hours

Miles bicycled: 367 miles

Total ascent of climbing: more than 18,000 ft.

Weight lost: still counting

Interest facts or thoughts from the trip:

1) climbing mountains is beyond difficult. Not only does it test your physical conditioning, but more importantly, if you have the guts to keep going.

2) I have seen so many beautiful sunflower fields in the last week than ever before.

3) I have never truly understood why cyclists unzip their jerseys and sometimes take off their helmets. While climbing uphill, the body overheats so much that all I want to do is take my helmet off. For most of the heat dissipates from the head.

4) Can somebody till me how sheep can stay upright on steep slopes at 1200 ft high?

5) The only thing more frightening than this bike trip is seeing my father drive a manual car at high altitudes.


Now, onto the photos for today




Lot River












Photos near the ascent of the terrain near Aurillac


Dinner at Michel Bras


Vegetable medley




Tomato with cow cheese




Special onion dish




Desert with sugar crusted cherry. A pastry filled with red sauce inside.

And lastly some beautiful pictures from our hotel:










Lastly I read thus quote from Cadel Evans today about his tough day bicycling and I thought the quote is quite applicable towards our trip:


" I suffer on my bike everyday, but I do it with pleasure."

On that note I bid you guys adeiu.

- Greg

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Laguiole

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