July 6, 2003 – Hey everyone and happy Canada day to all Canadians! This is
going to be a long one so buckle up for a lengthy ride! I am writing to you
from blazing hot Paris as I have just finished my second stage of my
journey and what a journey it has been!

The first few weeks of the trip definitely took some getting use to. The
language, missing loved ones, being away from the comforts of home, getting
use to completely different cultures, packing and moving on each day and of
course being on my bike every day. I think in my last email I may have
sounded a little down but not to fear all is good now! The journey has
continued very successfully with lots of amazing tales to be told!

My entry from Belgium to France was a very memorable occasion. I had been
riding on very flat terrain through Holland and Belgium and France rang
true to it's hilly reputation within 30 minutes of arriving! But what a
pleasure it is to ride across rolling country side – the scenery is
amazing. I have been riding through vast rows of lush vineyards, wheat
fields as far as the eye can see, fragrant gigantic forests and the
quaintest small villages. And of course there's lots of climbing but I have
been enjoying it immensely and I think I am starting to like those hills!
Which is a good thing as I will be attacking Alp d'Huez next! I will tell
you about those plans later!

So from Brussels to Versailles, (where I am camping at an amazing quiet
little campsite 700 yards from the gorgeous Versailles Chateau), took me 14
days as I slowed down a little to enjoy the cities I was passing through.
Even though my cycling computer is broken, approx. 1,200 km is the total km
completed to date which I am very proud of!

My most amazing day off the bike was in Fountainbleu and what an
action-packed day! No rest for me even off the bike! I walked the Chateau
Fountainbleu grounds, had a picnic, hiked part of the very lush
Fountainbleu forest – had an interesting dinner and listened to some great
French reggae. June 21 in France is a huge party celebrating the start of
summer so free music was everywhere! It was a great day all around and I
was more exhausted from the celebrating than from a day on the bike!

My most amazing journey on the bike was from Epernay to Troyes which was my
longest ride yet at 110 km! So proud of myself for pushing through as it
was a very long, hard day.   But the most amazing day for scenery was
biking from Reims to Epernay through the champagne region of France. These
people are 100% immersed in their crops yet they all were ever so welcoming
to me as I struggled up the hills beside them.   The views from hillside
villages over the vinyards was breathtaking and the colorful sky completed
the dreamy picture.

No challenging days off the bike to speak of – however there were a few
challenging days on the bike, all involving the weather of course! My first
day back in the saddle, after a rest day in Brussels, was startling. Within
a half hour, the sky turned black and pounded me and other riders who were
out for a nice Sunday morning tour! Then it hit again even worse an hour
later with unbelievable lightening and thunder! That slowed me down a
little, and for an hour and a half I watched airplanes as they landed at
Brussels airport from the safety of a neighborhood Belgian dugout! Later
that week it was a huge barn that saved me from the elements for another
hour and a half shower. Needless to say, being in the right place at the
right time is very important to allow one to stay dry and warm!

I also hit some nasty wind from Troyes to Sens which I think was the worst
of all of the elements. Not much you can do about the wind except scream
and yell at it which I have gotten quite good at! The most interesting
campsite I stayed at was one that was non-existant – I had to treat myself
to a hotel in Reims which was ok by me!

But the nicest campsite on this leg has been a Versailles campground as
it's very close to the Metro to get to Paris. It's very quiet which is
surprising as it's so close to the city, with great showers. My solo
Canadian female tourist friend Patricia, who I met in Belgium two weeks
earlier, was waiting patiently for me there! What a treat as we had been
touring Paris together for the last few days and are going to ride together
for the next few days. It's such an occasion to have dinner and
conversation with someone, as we shared road stories. It will be a switch
to be alone again later, but I will have Lance to keep me company as the
Tour de France starts soon.

The most exciting people I have met have mostly been while staying at
campgrounds. Great Scottish and British couples took me under their wing so
of speak – feeding me, offering me cold drinks, replenishing my English
reading material which has run out quickly on the road alone – and they
brought hot tea and biscuits to my tent! Unbelievably hospitable and caring
– it was such a rare treat. Wished I could return the favours but I think
my whacky stories and interesting outlook on travel and life was enough to
keep them entertained!

Then there are the French motorists, cyclists and villagers who cheer me on
daily with shouts of “Vive le Canada!” and “Allee, Allee!” as I climb
hills. I have received many “Bonjours!” and thumbs up as well. The Canadian
flag on the back of the trailer is working well Mom! Thanks for that!

Now I am setting out on a short 4-day tour just south of Paris so I can be
back in Paris for Canada Day as I have been invited to a party at the
Embassy along with Jill, a friend from home, who will be in town which will
be great! Later on, I'm preparing to take to the French roads in a car not
on a bike to follow the Tour de France! It's getting exciting as I've
passed through a few towns on the way to Paris that will be the start or
finish of certain stages and I've picked up several magazines and books to
get me up to speed on the Tour and its history. Also bought myself a little
chair for when I plant myself at the side of the road for six hours waiting
for Lance and the boys in blue to race by!

I'm a little intimidated about the driving here but if I can ride my bike
and hold my own on those roads than surely I can drive them! Be sure to
keep an eye out for a Canadian flag during Tour coverage, especially on the
mountain stages as I will get there way ahead of time to ensure a prime
seat for the action.

Hope all is well at home whereever that is for those reading this report.
Everything is going along great here, I  missing all of you of course, but
we will meet again soon.

FYI…. my adventures are being posted at pedalmag.com by my good friends
there from my Trilife days – so you can keep up to date there as well. I
also now have a cell phone (which most will find humorous because I refused
to get one in Canada, but I do feel safer with it). So if some of you ever
feel like leaving me a message which I would love to hear, the number is a
Belgian number and it's 32-49807-3147 (011 is the international code if
dialing from Canada.)

I never have it on, but would love to hear your voices especially at the
end of long hard days in the saddle! Love you all and thanks again for the
up lifting messages as they are my fuel to continue this adventure so don't
think they don't get read or that I get too many! Keep 'em coming folks!
Stay well, happy trails, follow some of your dreams and Vive le Tour!

Love,
Robyn