Colleen Morton Busch

Author of Fire Monks

Pyrenees Act 1 Scene 1

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What could be better than riding in France? Riding in France with friends! Friends Bill Stewart and Kalima Rose arrived in Toulouse on Sept 14. On the 15th, we loaded up the bikes in Toulouse on the very narrow street outside our hotel. A tourist train snaked by, and several cars that I never thought would have fit without taking off a mirror, or a handlebar. We arrived in Argeles-Gazost, a great place to base ourselves for rides over many well known Tour de France peaks.   Unfortunately, John had developed a nasty cough by then which is still lingering despite … [Read more...]

Looking forward and back

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I could list many favorite things about La France. The graceful language, fun to speak and even more fun to listen to, the relentlessly edible food and drinkable wine, the long history and beauty of the country. The joie de vivre par-tout. Every day we pass through many small towns, and I'm always struck by how well cared for the homes are--even a crumbly hundred year old stone farmhouse will be dotted with flower beds and decked out with colorful shutters, blue and orange and red. It warms my heart as I pedal past. Arriving in and exiting towns, however, is decidedly not … [Read more...]

Castle in a Raindrop

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And I guess I should include wine in that subject line, since you can even help yourself in Sarlat-Le-Caneda, where we welcomed the wine and dry hotel room after getting completely drenched on the road. So wet my shoes were squishy. We have rain gear, but with this grande pluie it didn't matter. Dinner at the bistro across the street was delightful. We were famished, because in addition to the rain-drubbing, we had been unable to eat properly all day. One serious pleasure, and challenge, of bike touring in France is food. Riding 40 kilometers on coffee and a croissant has … [Read more...]