Day 16 - Nice, France to Sainte-Maxime, France

Ahh, the South of France! The Mediterranean Unicycle Tour continued in true style with a 100km ride from Nice to Sainte Maxime, a mainly flat route passing many famous beach resorts: Antibes, Miramar, and Cannes of the world-renowned film festival. Some of the roads were congested with cars, but actually it never became too terrible. Often, we had dedicated bike paths. And the sunshine was mild for at least half our ride, so the day was taken up with enjoying the carnival of senses that is this golden coast: red-orange cliffs sprouting up from the deep blue sea; the smell of eucalyptus, sea breeze and fragrant flowers; the taste of gelato (we still get it in France); and the sound of cicadas and birds. Another sound we get a lot is of car horns, not honking at us so much as saying "Bravo!" as the French love their cyclists. This is after all the host country of the Tour de France.

Quotes of the Day
"It's not . . . mild."
-MIke, going with the understatement on the after dinner liqueur freely given to our table.

"I'm going to go through Connie withdrawal."
-Dave, knowing we'd only see our support in the morning at after the ride.
"How do you think I feel?"
-Roger

Rider of the Day: John
1. What was your best day so far?
It's become a popular answer for a reason: the ride into Siena. Obviously not the end part, getting lost, but the incredible views along the way. Siena was love at first sight, and I can't wait to return to spend more time there. Also, today: we rode through towns my family stayed in 30 years ago, and I haven't been since. So this has been a bit of Proustian madelaine and tea for me.

2. What was your worst day/moment?
Definitely the days with horrible, itchy heat rash all over my arms, though I did my best not to let it distract from all the good things those days.

3. Why did you decide to go on the tour?
Hmm. I've completely adored the last three in Europe, so it was a safe bet I'd at the very least love this one, too. And as I mentioned on profile, the spread of democracy to new countries.

4. Favorite gelato flavor(s)?
Lately, I've been hovering around the trio of strawberry, hazelnut and lemon, though melon is on the ascent.

5. Are there any items in your CamelBak you haven't touched or used this tour?
Water. (Just kidding.) Let's see: my compass, calculator, and bike pump and extra air seat inner tube.

6. Are you collecting anything?
Shamefully, no. I've still got four days though.

7. What was your favorite bathroom/lodging this tour?
I haven't really been that blown away by the toilets, though showers have been half great and half deplorable. Best lodgings would be Ljubljana for aesthetics, and the monastery in Volterra for both aesthetics and palatial space.

8. If you could change anything about your uni, what would it be?
Nothing; it's gotten me through four uni tours (almost).

9. What were your favorite two or three films of the last 10 years?
Recently, Brand Upon the Brain!, The Squid and the Whale, Marie Antoinette, and Once. And above all, The Best of Youth. Other key "recent" films for me: Barton Fink, Careful, Wild at Heart, and Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Guest Rider of the Day: Micke
1. What was your best day so far?
Today: It was my longest ride so far. I've never done 100km before.

2. What was your worst day/moment?
When I had saddle soreness.

3. Why did you decide to go on the tour?
To meet other unicyclists: I've never met one before.

4. Favorite gelato flavor(s)?
I'm not as obsessed as others. I like the color of the Smurf flavor.

5. Are there any items in your CamelBak you haven't touched or used this tour?
My jacket.

6. Are you collecting anything?
No, just experiences.

7. What was your favorite bathroom/lodging this tour?
My first one, when I had a whole room to myself in Siena.

8. If you could change anything about your uni, what would it be?
Everything. Especially, get an airfoil rim.

9. What were your favorite two or three films of the last 10 years?
The Matrix, and Hackers, a crappy but good film.

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Created: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 16:42