7/15/05
This morning I decided to take the broken sub-frame cover off the bike in preparation for the new one. As I did this I realized how badly bent the support for the box was as well. This was an easy fix since it was made of actual steel unlike the BMW part which is cast aluminum. So after getting the parts off the bike I packed up camp and asked my new Irish friends if I could leave some stuff in their campsite for a couple hours while I got my parts all sorted out. They were quite glad to help me out and even brainstormed on some potential fixes for the problem. Finally with all my stuff sorted I went to start the bike to find a dead battery, stupid Josh, I left my laptop charging last night and drained the battery. The problem was quickly solved when a friendly Spaniard volunteered his jumper cables.
So off I went to find a metal shop to fix the broken box support and then on to the BMW shop.
I found a run down metal shop whose owner gladly agreed to bend the part back into shape, repair the broken welds, and add a stiffener plate to it. One down one to go.
At the BMW dealership my luck would not be so good. After waiting for two hours it turned out the truck wouldnt be coming today but it would be here on Monday. Now for some reason I almost started to loose my patients but instead I just shook my head and walked out of the dealership disappointed. Now I am not sure why I was getting upset and disappointed, I dont have a schedule to keep and well Andorra is as good a place as any to sit for a couple days. I found myself breaking one of the rules I established when I set out on this trip, dont get upset when things go wrong. So luckily I realized this and headed back to the machine shop to pick up the part I had dropped off there. For 30 euros my part was better than new and even had a new shiny black paintjob. I bit pricier than the shop in Spain but still a deal non the less. I headed back to the campground to collect my thoughts and decide on a course of action. When I got there the Irish couple where sitting about enjoying the morning and discussing their days activities. When I told them the story they suggested I go to the Tour De France which was just a mere 30 miles away tomorrow. What a great idea, see that is how things are supposed to work out. So with AX-3 as my destination I pieced the bike back together, and headed off. Andorra is quite beautiful once you get out of the shopping center.
I quickly found the finish line for stage 14 was at a ski resort called AX-3 in France. It was quite easy to find since all I had to do was follow the road with people camped out. I made it to the enterance of the ski resort where security had set up a barricade with the intent of not letting anymore campers in. The security guy asked me something in French to which I responded with a fairly blank look, after a couple minutes and making tent shapes with our hands he pointed to a hill that had a few tents set up. Then made a throttle movement with his hands then pointed to his ears with a thumbs up. I take it he was a biker and liked my bike.
I made my way to the camping area that was the bottom of ski run where about 75 people had camped with tents and motor homes. As I pulled in I looked up the ski run and thought that was too good of an opportunity to pass up. So up the hill I charged, after making it quite far I turned around and went back down the hill noticing that everyone was looking at me giving me a nod of approval, good thing I didnt fall over.
Once I got camp set up I ended up talking to some campers that were next to me. There were a group of three guys and two sons, only one of them spoke English but once again I was amazed how friendly they were. For the next 5 hours we talked like old friends and they shared everything they had. I got a great insight to French culture and their mentality.
They explained how they are different from Parisians and to most French joys I life are the simple things, wine meat cheese and family. To them cars and material things were not so important. I guess I am starting to like the French more and more.
Todays Specs
Weather: 100 F, Hot and Sunny
Distance: 60 miles Andorra to AX-3
7/16/05
This morning I woke up a little fuzzy headed from the wine last night but due to the oven that was my tent I had no choice but to get up. Damn I should have looked for a shaddy spot to pitch my tent. The area was buzzing with people, semi-trucks, helicopters, and camera crews getting ready for the riders to cross the finish line. I spent most of the day wandering around chatting with people and watching the preparations. At 3:00 I started to wander down the road to find a good place to watch Lance come up the hill. At about 3:30 a series of floats and sponsor cars started to come up the hill, each throwing out hats and stuff. When 4:45 rolled around the excitement started to mount and after a few minutes everybody was crowding to the center of the street. As I crowded my way towards the street, camera at the ready, I caught a glimpse of a cyclist about 100 feet down the road. Hhhhmmm, I wondered if I would be allowed back in America if I tackled Lance, well definitely not Texas at least. So I opted not to tackle Lance, not fearing that I would never be allowed back in Texas but more out of spite for the French cause they would rejoice that he didnt win, they really hate the fact that an American owns this event, well that and the fact that I would probably miss and be ran over by another biker and end up with a broken hip, I am not too coordinated sometimes. anyways back to the story.
So as crowd seemed to part inches before his front wheel ran them over he was right in front of me and I got a picture. Yes kinda anti-climatic but then some other bicyclists went by and then a few more and yes some more after them. I mean really I can ride hundreds of miles a day so I dont see the big deal, well yes my bike has a motor but I think that just makes me smarter than them. Infact I think I was the only one cheering for the support guys on the motorcycles. So that was the Tour-De-France, not nearly as exciting as Irish Road Races or Running of the Bulls. But I guess I can check it of on my been there dont that list.
Well I said goodbye to my friends I had met last night wondering what I was going to do, feeling a tad bit homesick when I met a great group of people.. I was standing by motorcycle letting it idle to make sure the battery wouldnt go dead after charging my laptop when a very drunk Frenchman comes over and tells me the bike is too loud and I should turn it off. Well I just smiled and told him only two more minutes. He stood by somewhat patiently for a the next two minutes and after I turned it off one of his compatriots came over and asked me if I would like to join them for dinner. They were quite a lively group of about 10 guys who seemed to enjoy food and wine. For the next 3 hours my glass was never empty and my plate always seemed to have several different types of meat and cheese on it. I never had to ask for anything they were always offering and they spoke very good English so there was never a moment of silence. At one point someone asked me where I was from and I replied San Francisco, the group went silent for about 5 seconds then simultaneously the broke out in song singing San Francisco, it was quite fun. This was a much needed refreshment of humanity after feeling a little homesick. I guess being around groups of people and seeing groups of friends enjoying the holiday made me miss my friends and family.
Todays Specs
Weather: 100 F, Hot and Sunny
Distance: 0 miles Stage 14 Tour De France AX-3
7/17/05
After packing up camp I made my back to Collioure to camp for the night and collect my stuff that I had left there before heading out to the Pyrenees. I was greeted with a big smile and a thumbs up from the campground owner as I pulled in, my first thought was wow he is friendly, did he pawn my stuff. Well no he is just a really friendly guy.
Being motivated by companions (Geoff and Ian) I decided to go through my kit (kit is British English for gear in American English) and try to lighten the load. Well I really managed to get rid of at this point was some sockets, needle nose pliers, and allen keys. For a total savings of 3 lbs. Hhhmmm I will try this exercise again in few more weeks and see what I can do without. I think when I get into Africa I will dump most of my clothes for space savings.
Anyways nothing to exciting tonight.
Todays Specs
Weather: 95 F, Hot and Sunny
Distance: 120 miles Stage 14 Tour De France AX-3 to Colliure
7/18/05
This morning I set out to get my road tires put back on the bike a find a place to store the knobblies. Well it turns out that in France Moto Shops , like allot of American Moto Shops, are closed on Mondays. The funk of the other day was still lingering, not my body funk, but just kinda road depression was still lingering around and this kinda added to the fact. So in situations like this food is the answer. I went to the grocery store got all the ingredients to make myself a good ol fashioned american breakfast. Once back at the campsite I scrambled up some eggs bacon and toast with a tall glass of orange juice. That actually made me feel better, it is amazing how food can make you feel connected to home, dont get me wrong I love the French cheeses and meat but nothing like eggs and bacon. So now that I was once again in a good mood I decided a day on the beach was in order. So as I sit here fairly sunburnt, I think it was a good day.
Todays Specs
Weather: 90 F, Sunny with some clouds
Distance: 0 miles Colliure
