...Just do not ask my mileage, okay?

We saw a lot of people touring, we just rode a few hours per day...and stopped for beers.

Spring was in full bloom--stunningly beautiful countryside. The French were amazingly gracious and always asking questions, which is why they know so much. I sensed no anti-America sentiments, and everyone was exceptionally patient and helpful. We hear a lot of crap in America, and they know it.

The riding: Still kind of chilly in am's I was layered up like the doughboy and sometimes my eardrums hurt. The drivers very respectful and gave us plenty of room passing. The very narrow country roads made me nervous on the blind hills, but other than that, it was a breeze compared to Honolulu. Most cyclists just wore little caps, which made me laugh because when JB cam home from Iraq one of the times, we forgot his helmet and road anyway and all the militant cyclists would yell "get a helmet, dude!" It was nice to be around "live and let live" attitudes. (we ended up renting, we had multiple intineraries and it got nuts with fees)
But...I used packing advice for coming back to LA with the bikes.

Paris is the bomb, because they have huge bike lanes with CURBS. You can rent simple bikes on stands and return them any where.

Very nice. Thanks.

So you rented bikes there? That would be quite a flight from Oahu to Provence. Can you give a few more details of your itinerary? Towns and stuff.

So, you packed very light, can you give us some tips? Also is seems you are touring with Lance. Can this be true?

hahahaha I knew I'd be in trouble posting in the touring forum. Hey, maybe I was just "on a tour" and then back to my villa.

...and I have no idea where we were and could not read the signs anyway. We rode 30-40 miles a day due to the food and beverage issues.

Lourmarin...Avignon..."Luberon mountains" Okay: I SAW people touring.

Actually, if this Cris guy showed up, I'd be confused. I did not see Lance or my man, Sarcozy, either.



Okay, here is a tip, from this guy: leave the socks and the helmet at home, and tell all the Socal uptights that tanks are perfectly acceptable.

Europe will do that. Life's pleasures seem to be higher on the priority list over there.

Nice trip!

Ibdeed they are!

Looks like you were a bit too early for the lavender (or a bit too late.)

In France!?! Now go back and do it right...

(yes, my rudeness is just an outlet for my jealousy)

Well, Now I'm truly envious. Provence is one of my favorite areas of France - all of Europe, actually. It does not surprise me that people you have met are gracious toward Americans. Catherine96821 I hope your experiences and the memories of your travels are as joyous as mine had been from my own travels long ago.

Around 1970, when anti-American sentiment was at yet another all time high due to the US presence in the increasingly unpopular Vietnam War, I was always made to feel welcomed by the average Frenchmen I would encounter. Often older couples throughout the country would spontaneously welcome this intrepid American into their humble homes for a bit to eat and then insist that I spend the night under their roof as well. It was almost as if there was an imperative to welcome pilgrims through the ancient rural regions.

Yes, America in the abstract may be resented for unpopular political positions. However, when it comes down to individual people, Europeans are generally more warm and inviting than we are toward strangers - of even our own nationality. I had flown over with the intention of a brief cycletouring holiday of only a few weeks, and instead would up traveling around Europe for well over a year.

Thanks so much for sharing your Photos! You've made my day (... make that my week)!
Stay Safe and Well. Hope you folks continue to have a great trip!

It is very puzzling to me why we hear all this "stuff" about the French...I just have never experienced any of it.

(and I lean to the right and like to discuss politics every where we go) They are really very informed and engaged (how refreshing, whatever your beliefs)

Glad you liked the pics...Anybody know what those massive fields of yellow is? It is some kind of crop, I meant to ask someone. Lots of it, everywhere. Bright yellow, short.

Sounds like a great trip! I'll be there myself in late July. Did you rent bikes in Provence-where?

The fields of yellow are rapeseed. Canola oil is made from it. It's related to cabbage and broccoli and such. It's beautiful. I admired the fields of it in France when I was there in May.

Paris on bike is fantastic! So much better than when I lived there in 1999-2000 pre-bike lanes.

Thanks! ..that was making me crazy. I have never heard of rapeseed.

yes, I will ask JB the name of the shop..he was great and mailed our pedals back to us in Hawaii. (We just spaced them out talking to everyone in his shop)

I rented this cool Cannondale with extra gears...it was wonderful on the hills. very nice bikes, we thought.

Of course they were nice to you, you are gorgeous!

But seriously I have been to France on 5 different occasions in the last 18 years and I never had anyone give me grief about being an American.