Friday, April 13, 2007

After TEN hours in the car...

the life of a nomadic bike racer is oh so glorious. hahaha. I bet those who know me well are laughing at all the car travel I am doing lately. Heck, i never even owned a car for fear that i would have to travel in it (that and I promote bikes as transportation.)

BEFORE I FORGET, I ADDED PHOTOS BELOW IN MY PREVIOUS BLOG!!!!!!

The drive here was exceptional. NOW i can fully appreciate why people choose to live in France. It is now my favorite country in terms of breathtaking views. I am also privately in love with Gap. It is a combination of Leuven (where i live in belgium) with its quaint cafes and downtown area, and Mill Valley, my other 'home' in CA where I have spectacular views everywhere i turn.

Anyway, mimi and I arrived at the Ligue Du Centre De Football for the night. Her team is staying here for the duration of the race while i meet my team this evening.

I LOVE where i am staying at the moment, though. This huge complex hosts visiting teams, offering them housing, meals, fields to play in. AND the rooms are warm. Mimi has no heat in her apartment so that was a bit tough for me considering anything under 23 degrees C (about 70 F) is butt cold for me. Staying in this complex with us is the National Football Team from a French Island called Reunion. The girls are all 16 and absolutely adorable. As soon as they found out i spoke english, they used their finest english on me - hello, enjoy your meal, have a nice day, can we help you.

My first ride here was rather perfunctory. I just rode the local roads to loosen up the legs after a long trip in the car. Mimi opted to sit this one out, so i was alone - just me and my new ipod tunes. The best part of the ride was how i was received by the locals. Everyone waved hi and the cars really made an active effort to give me room and/or right of way.

We leave in a few minutes for our training ride. Then it is back to the room for showering, leg elevation and my favorite time of the day - EATING!!!!

My next posting will be Monday.

Thanks again to all those who have been sending your kind and amusing thoughts to my blog and to my personal email.

Groetjes,
Peanut

10 comments:

Paul Tay said...

Toooo To Doo Doo...Welcome to the Twilight Zone, where motorists go out of their way to give space to bicyclists, AND high skool girls speak in only the finest English, reserved for royalty and the diplomatic corps.

Anonymous said...

Whats Up Sugar?

Anonymous said...

oop's I was just checking to see if a non- registered blogger could post on here lol........ Hey Peanut, Its also cold back here on the Island,Mid of April and the weatherman is calling for snow this sunday here in NY......Good Luck this weekend!............. see ya soon....Ray.....

Little_Jewford said...

Met some of the mill valley shop crowd at Sea-Otter ... actually the only reason I caught them is because one was wearing a "MILF VALLEY" T-shirt....classy

Alex said...

Christine you are true class. Many racers can ride at a professional level, but you are amongst those I define as PROFESSIONAL in your approach. I loved working with you as your team manager and I continue to respect and admire your approach to expanding and continuing your path on two wheels. You are a class act Lady, and I am proud to know you...

Now, go out there and kick some French female ass! And of course,if you think one of those asses is worthy of me... :)

Have fun!

Alex

Paul Tay said...

ROFLMFAO! Alex, she doesn't seem like the matchmaker type to me. I don't get it. A team manager shaking down one of his riders for DATES? That's like a pimp who NEVER gets ANY.

PEANUT said...

Hey Paul:
Alex was my team manager on Velo Bella and based on his looks and personality, I am sure his statement was in jest. Oh, and paul I AM the matchmaker type. I have set many people up. But usually they date for long periods of time, completely rip each others' hearts out, stomp on them until every drip of blood is splattered all over the pavement then stick what's left of it into la machine and hand it back...with a straw and tiny umbrella of course.
What DOESN'T happen is matchmaking for me. My friends are fully aware that it is just downright cruel to set anyone up with me since i am a wack job - or as they say in France "special."

PEANUT said...

Hey Alex:
Thanks for your kind words. I think my last comment negates all your "professionalism" talk. hahahaha.
Hope all is well in USA. BTW, i leave saturday for france again. au revoir!

PEANUT said...

Hey LJ:
Glad you met the MV Cycleworks gang. Aren't they GREAT??? I am so happy to know them. They are all quirkably loveable - if that can be a coherent sentiment.

Paul Tay said...

My bad, kid. You a whack job? Naaaaah. Seem pretty normal to me. It's not like you got three dead bodies in your closet, right?