No, not cycling WITH Champagne, cycling IN Champagne! Lucy and I finished our weekend at Bernies and tracked inland to just outside Epernay, which is smack in the center of the Champagne region and let me tell you…. they know how to make a good drop there.
The setting was perfect, we camped in a small site on the side of a hill next to a vineyard, the rolling hills of the area were all around us and we feasted on more local food. It possibly helped I hadnt had coffee for several days but I can say I was truly chillaxed, happy to just be in the moment and the nature around me.
Then of course I set off on old Frenchie for what I had really come here for (not the plonk), its cycling time!
Hot diggity, I bought a local map and planned out that sucker to go up as fast as possible and ride the ridge line. Now I am no cartographer and I thought… hmmm maybe 65km?? So I did the ride and it was an amazing, arse tearing day riding through the countryside. It took me 7 hours and when I got back I ate food, drank water and passed out asleep for an hour. Then I felt awesome. After I got back to a computer I punched my route into google maps as above and saw it was indeed 100km even… on old frenchie. oh man.. I am enjoying getting back to these old bikes. Most bike stores these days about all kinds of latest gucci bikes and equipement, which are fine if you are going for a best lap time, but if you want some exercise, isnt riding something a new notches down from the top just as good?
After reluctantly leaving Epernay I drove over to Beavis in france where the ryanair airport is and flew to Sweden for a few days. I left the Volvo on the side of the road, kind of next to some guys field… I hope its still there when I get back.
Tomorrow I am back to see if my pride and joy is now in several hundred pieces distrubuted across dodgy workshops in France. Assuming this hasnt happened, I am off to a country I have never been before… can you believe it? In Western Europe? its true, Luxembourg! (not to be confused with Lichtenstein which is the raddest place on earth). I dont know whats happening in Luxenbourg but I have 2 days to figure it out. after this I am going somewhere I have definitly been before.. maybe you remember it…
YOU KNOW IT. Its time to hit the Nürburging again! for my new friends you can see my original visit in 2006 here at the old Eurotrip2006 website. In those days I hired a dedicated BMW and did 10 hot laps around the famous old track. This time most of my finances have been invested in Belgium beer companies so it will be a few scenery laps in the new Eurotank. I am camping there friday and saturday night and the ring is open Saturday evening and Sunday day. In the other times I have a chance to cycle the beautiful region around the track and catch up with all the hot cars and cool drivers who are also attending. The last time I was here it was one of the best days of my life and this time I cant wait to soak up more of the atmosphere.
After Nürburg I am off to Hamburg for a week to teach and meet up with an old friend, I am sure you remember this guy
(bucket optional extra, model seen here without p0k0r laptop)
France, Luxembourg, Germany… and then into Swiss, Italy and Slovenia… You. Know. It!