I cycled along Rhone river after crossing a border and went south. There were no mountains but only hills and no feeling of Alps anymore. The roads became without bike passes in many parts, so I need now more carefully to choose my route.

フランスに入ってからはローヌ川に沿って南下開始。フランスに入ると山が丘になってアルプスの面影はもうない。スイスのように分かり易い自転車ルートも整備されていないので、道選びには気を使わないといけない。






On my way, I stopped by Vienne. I pitched my tent at a camp ground, left my luggages and took a train to Lyon with my bicycle.
途中、Vienneという町のキャンプ場にテントを残してそこから電車で自転車ごとリヨン観光に行ってみた。

Old center of Lyon was like Dubrovnik, orange top buildings. I was also looking forward to visiting some nice bike shops I found online. However, all shops I went had been closed. This is France. People take a long holiday during summer, especially August. There were many shops closed for same reason in Lyon, so new center, no many tourists, had been very quiet.
リヨンの旧市街はオレンジ色の屋根が続いていてドブロブニクを思い出した。今回リヨンに来たのは観光する目的もあったけれど、自転車屋を見て周るのも楽しみにしていた。しかし、調べていた店4件全部19日まで休み。さすがフランス、ホリデーシーズン、特に8月は小中規模の店はどこも長い夏休みを取るようです。リヨンも観光客のいない新市街はどこかガランとしてました。






In Montelimar, 120km south of Vienne, I had another person to see. Kazu is like my older brother. He took care of me since we first met couple years before..
Vienne からさらに120km南下し、Montelimarでも再会を予定している人がいた。地下足袋サイクリストの和さん。出発前に始めてお会いしてから面倒みてもらっていた兄貴分。


He had a summer holiday and took short trip to France. He saved some times to see me during his trip and came see me from Paris by TGV. As I said, he was like my older brother. He took all bills while I was with, so I didn't need to pay any expense.
今回、日本のお盆休みを利用してフランスに遊びに来たついでにわざわざTGVに乗って会いに来てくれた。気前の良い和さんにはホテルから食事まで一緒にいる間に発生した費用全て面倒見てもらってしまった。

Kazu works at Rice wine maker, Sake. He brought a lots of Sake bottles from Japan. I had quite a lot with him. This Sake, Omoiyari, is supposed to be the best seller in Hokkaido as he said.
日本酒メーカーで働く和さんは日本から何本も日本酒を持って来ていて、久々に日本酒をたらふく飲んだ。

Famous candy made in Montimar. Montelimar で有名なお菓子




That day, we talked about after my journey till mid night. We were supposed to spread tomorrow; he was going to north and I was going to south. However, I changed my plan when he asked me "Do you want to come?". I was so lucky to go for free!!! For tomorrow, we are going to Beaune, a world famous town for wine.
この日はこれからの人生について語るに語って夜がふけていきました。自分はこれからさらに南下、和さんはブルゴーニュに行く予定だった。しかし和さんに「一緒にブルゴーニュ行く？」の一言から予定変更。翌日から図々しくも急遽、ブルゴーニュ地方に行く事になったのであります。もちろん和さんは全部費用を負担してくれました。どのようにお礼をしてよいか。いずれ出世払いさせて頂きます。