Bike: Pont-en-Royans to Romans-sur-Isère, 20 miles, 850 feet of climb
Accommodation: Les maisons des Balmes (Booking.com); hosts Chloe and Frank. One-bedroom villa on lower level of large stone house, kitchen, wifi, washer, terrace, shed for bike storage.Breakfast: Buffet at Hotel Musee de l'Eau
Lunch: Snacks on the route
Our route took us up into farm fields and then down along the River Isere, mostly on dedicated bike trails and tiny agricultural roads, through more corn fields and walnut orchards. It was a beautiful day, the riding was easy, and we just had fun.
When we reached the outskirts of Roman-sur-Isere, we were still on a bike route but on the edge of the highway for about three miles through commercial developments. We stopped at a large Carrefour (our favorite grocery store chain) about a mile before getting to our apartment, and stocked up on groceries.
We arrived at our villa outside town about 14:00. Everything was quiet and no one was in sight. Ken hiked up the terrace while I sent a message to our host. A few minutes later, Ken and our host Chloe walked down the terrace steps with Roma, the dog. Chloe showed us where our key--a huge old metal key--was hidden outside, and then showed us through the apartment.
The apartment is huge and cool, the lower level of a stone farmhouse, with everything we could need for our three days here. Chloe and her husband, Frank, moved here from Paris two years ago and are restoring and refurbishing this building, a similar building next door, and a chateau down the road. Their 15-year-old daughter competes in a very disciplined format similar to dressage.
About half an hour after we arrived, it started thundering and lightning and pouring. We were happy to cook dinner and do laundry and enjoy our nice home-away-from-home.
 |
| The living room in our villa. |
