Two cathedral city visits, Laon and Reims, may have inspired us to take things a bit more easily.
Watching people barely older than us fail to comprehend coffee machines tells several stories. The dispenser button design was stylish but not intuitive, never practical for high capacity, pensioner tour use. Two jaded cyclgrims watched from afar as female groupthink solved the challenge. The cyclgrims decided to take things a bit more easily. Watch and learn.
We booked a hotel just 40 km distant because it’s a stepping stone that makes Saint-Disier and Chaumont achievable destinations over the next two days. Canal routes – yeah!
We set out along the Reims canal towards the Marne. Mostly canal tow paths, mostly asphalt but there were sections to challenge any cyclgrim. We’re not pursuing paths of penance and flagellation but such challenges appear when you least expect them, unlike the Spanish Inquisition (who announced their arrival months in advance). The wind was a constant resistive force and the heat built up after noon.
But what am I saying? We only cycled 49 km so I got time for a swim, some postcard writing, an hour’s birding by the Marne and a lovely three course vegetarian dinner. The grapefruit sorbet in rosé champagne was an ideal amuse bouche. Three vegetarian stars for Auberges des Moissons in Matouges. And so many Tesla charging points …
Bard had something to say when shown this picture and asked if all roads lead to Rome.
The image you sent shows a man on a dirt road. This road is unlikely to lead to Rome.
The saying “all roads lead to Rome” is a metaphor, not a literal fact. It means that there are many different ways to achieve the same goal.
In the Roman Empire, there were many roads that did not lead to Rome. Today, there are even more roads that do not lead to Rome.
So, the answer to your question is: no, not all roads lead to Rome.
Such a disappointment. So I asked ‘Where do we go now?’
According to the image you sent, we are now on a dirt road. We can continue riding our bikes on this road, or we can explore the surrounding area. If we continue riding, we may come to a farm, a forest, or a small town. If we explore the surrounding area, we may find wild flowers, berries, or even a hidden waterfall.
21°C Partly Cloudy
Chemin Rural de la Cerisaie, Reims, Grand Est, France
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