Day 22 - 40 mi: Parentis-en-Born to Saint Julien-en- Born

Our new riders were starting to catch on quickly.  Whatever is the published mileage tack on another 5-10 miles and you'll be spot on!  Today's ride would be a little bit longer than planned.

We started out with a tasty breakfast prepared by Chambre d'Hôte host Vincent. Franck was a natural barista whipping up coffees for all our crew.

We loaded up the sag wagon and Brigitte got underway as our driver for the day.

It was another fine path along the Vélodysée as we passed lakes and canals along the way.

This morning we were in search of the elusive morning café break which did not happen as it was Sunday and our timing was off.  But we pedaled through several small quaint towns.

Just before lunch we paused to debate the merits of a 4 km detour to visit a world unesco bell tower.  Given the pending 91+ heat, the vote was to pedal on.  Before we got underway an older gentleman warned us to be careful of the pending hill as there had been an accident earlier in the morning.  Boy was his caution right!

As we climbed the next steep hill, the guys pedaled by a rider sitting on the side of the bike trail.  As Lauran and Steph cycled by it became clear that he had just crashed as blood was dripping from his elbow and knees.  He was a bit shocked and somewhat embarassed yet grateful we stopped to help.  Lauran kicked into gear and pulled out napkins and water in an attempt to clean his wounds.  He told us that something (he wasn't quite sure what) had flashed before him on the trail and he braked quickly and lost control of his bike.  We later surmised that it was a sanglier as there was ample evidence of their presence along the trail.

We arrived in time for a pizza lunch at Mimizan-Plage that was a happening place.  And saved enough room for excellent ice cream at Glace Moustache.  

It was Sunday the first of October and the hottest October day ever recorded in France!  Boissons were in order!

The trail dashed in and out of the sun.  Each time we reached the shady sections it was a welcome respite from the very hot open asphalt.

When we reached the cute beach town of Contis-Plage, Lucas, Lauran and Steph were so hot that they dove right into the ocean fully clad in their cycling gear.  The French, whose bathing attire was barely more than a bandaid, looked quizically at us.  But boy did the ocean feel great!

More boissons were in order!

We then pedaled the 6 mile detour to Saint Julien-en-Born to stay in another Chambre d'Hôte.  The town was as quiet as could be but fortunately Big Joe's Food Stand was open serving an odd blend of pizza, kebabs, burgers and Thai food.  Amazingly it was all super tasty!

And we managed to squeeze in a run to the lavarie to wash our clothes and did a clothes sorting exchange after dinner.

Yet another fun day on the trail!