PBP 2007 Fini

Jake, Emily, Byron were all at Brest (615km). A couple of Swedish riders had me take their photo, and I'm ready to hit the roa…but now it was too hot! I did not want to sup at Brest, but stepping outside the sun felt intense and threatening to burn the skin, so I ducked back inside and gave le soleil a chance to go down just a bit, then struck out eastward across Brest and briefly met up with another of the young American fixed-gear riders (blue backpack—Spencer?) on a steep downhill approaching Landerneau—a town to which I've felt connected since visiting Guy LEGALL's Cycle shop during PBP-2003 (A "Cycles Guy Legall" water bottle sitting on my bookshelf at work has been sparking PBP memories for four years).

Two bonus hours, clear skies, setting sun, a cool breeze from the east, pleasant surroundings and al fresco dining along the Elorn River necessitated a supper break. I remained cognizant of the time, but this was a luxury for which I was willing to sacrifice sleep. I chose a Galeterie with tables on a wooden deck roadside. The owner sat doing paperwork with a big dog at his feet just outside the door (European dogs don't chase bikes), I took a seat as close to the road as possible, facing into the breeze from the east, watching a steady stream of randonneurs ride by, and ordered a galette (buckwheat crêpe) plate and cidre. The galette lined the plate and on top was served lettuce, tomato, beans, egg, etc… The waitress said a long bicycle ride would be difficult after such a meal, and maybe skipping the cidre would've been wise but I didn't come to France to eat energy bars.