France by Bicycle | PART 11: THE VELODYSEE: LA ROCHELLE

JULIANNA GETS A NEW BIKE!!! But first: Wind, wind, wind! We open this chapter with the bane of bicycle tourists everywhere, fierce headwinds that suck the life from us and slow our roll. The Eurovelo 1 points us inland into exposed, flat terrain, making for a long day. But today’s ride along la Velodysee concludes in La Rochelle, an incredible port city with a great history. Julianna treats us to a massage at the hotel, and we explore the old town, dropping into a bicycle store for a rear rack bag for Julianna but discovering her dream bike instead, and in just her size! Yes, folks, she traded in her beloved Salsa and rode away with a brand new Grande Globe-Trotteuse Classique. Awesome!
Music:
Accordion and Glockenspiel Comedy - JK Productions
Pond Five
081716572-accordion-and-glockenspiel-com
a href="www.pond5.com/royalty-free-mu..."Stock Music/a provided by JK_Production, from a href=“www.pond5.com/"Pond5/a
Paris In Spring - Trabant 33
Epidemic Sound
I Know You’ll Be Back Before Dawn - Ruiqi Zhao
Epidemic Sound
Clear Fresh Air - Headland
Epidemic Sound
Lotus Pond - Syntropy
Epidemic Sound
French Connection - Medite
Epidemic Sound
The Village Idiot - Justnormal
Epidemic Sound

[@lindaleppek2258]

What a beautiful city! Glad to see Julianna got her new ride. These videos have been very entertaining and inspiring, such a lovely area of France to visit.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

It really is a beautiful area. So glad you're enjoying these, Linda. We sure missed you at the reunion. Maybe we can try again some time!

[@michelesauret7779]

Your vidéos are a delight...😊 I enjoy about all of them

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Well thanks so much Michèle! So glad you're enjoying them!

[@atmrtwbike]

New bike day is always a great day! I look forward to finally buying a replacement bike. Or will that be a trike? Stay tuned!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Exciting!

[@alethearobinson8132]

I LOVE WIND SAID NO CYCLIST EVER!!!!!!!😆🤣 New bike day! So awesome. Talk about the best souvenir ever. Congratulations. Chapeau.🥰

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Merci Beaucoup Alethea!

[@ec-bi2ok]

Very brave to switch a bike in the middle of a tour without any shakedown rights! Congratulations on finding a new bike

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I agree, I need a lot more analysis myself. Julianna tends to trust her hunches, usually with great results.

[@garyseckel295]

@@TheBicycleTourists Would like to see more detail pictures and her comments regarding the new bicycle!

[@rodofortier5166]

Wow another great clip. Thanks for taking me\us on the ride with you. It's great to see images of LaRochelle. i had the chance to perform there twice back in the 90s. Bonne route-happy trails !!!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

What were you performing, if I may ask?

[@garyseckel295]

Loved the evening lit up coastal villages. The lit-up lighthouse was too pretty. AHH..., a new bicycle! I would have kissed my old bicycle too! Such excellent scenery watching. Thank you for your sharing.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks so much, Gary. It was hard to see the Salsa go. They told us later that they sold it immediately. It has a wonderful life on the coast of France.

[@PumpkinVillage]

Congrats on a new bike. What a hotel that was. Another great chapter to your adventure. Take care, Al

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks Al, loved that hotel, especially the massage.

[@lindahowes5949]

Oh happy day! Congratulations on your new bike!! Great souvenir from La Rochelle! 💜 Maybe at your next stop you’ll find a new trunk bag. 😊

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Still looking for that trunk bag. I have a daughter in product design. I'm thinking of asking her to design one for Julianna. (and me, for that matter)

[@westpacificmarketanalytics2384]

Viva La France, thank you Roland and Julianna! God Bless your new bike and future adventures! G

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you G! We do indeed feel blessed!

[@Jamin.Tortuga]

Congrats on the new Bike

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Merci beaucoup

[@cherylbigoness7441]

❤How awesome 👏 love the new bike! I hope it brings you much more adventure!! 🚲

[@TheBicycleTourists]

That's the plan!

[@HackHunter1835]

New bike day! They didnt have a new rear rack bag for your new bike?! You two handled those head winds like a trooper. On to the next Town..

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Still haven't found a good rear rack bag!

[@michaelvikhman7926]

Amazing video. Love seeing Europe through you guys.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you Michael! So glad you're along for the ride!

[@TerrapinCyclist]

Wonderful finish to a tough start. Congrats on your styling new bike! J&B

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you John. (And B)

[@sergemilaire3474]

La Rochelle looks inviting, we'll be in France in a few weeks and will look into whether we can fit La Rochelle into our plans. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

We didn't know anything about it and it took us by surprise. Such a great spot!

[@cyclistefroisse9267]

Salut R&J, You have been lucky **not** to be in La Rochelle during le Grand Pavois, Europe largest boat show with boats showcased in their element (floating) and its 80 000 visitors. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3a9q5RtnZmri68

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Boy, timing is everything, isn’t it?

[@stevebailey7633]

Not sure I would be brave enough to switch bikes in the middle of a tour, but best of luck with your new ride.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Yeah, me either. But Julianna knows how to make an executive decision. She had already fallen in love with this way back in Tours, when she saw it in a catalogue at a bike store. So when she found it in her size, it was a no brainer for her. BTW, after many miles, she loves the bike.

[@richardwalker5004]

I was going to ask if she was still happy with her decision or if any buyer’s remorse happened after getting home. Glad to hear she’s still happy with her choice. Looking forward to seeing it again!

[@dennispiciullo8060]

Don't blame you, I always hated head winds. Congrats on the bike, I guess they took trade-ins! Can't wait for next week's video.

[@juliannahenley4921]

Thanks! Yes they were more than happy to take Salsa on a trade in. It all worked out perfectly!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Yup those headwinds suck the life right out of you

[@dennispiciullo8060]

Oh I bet, hated head winds, when I ride.

[@IceGuts]

Did you trade in the Salsa or was it a donation🎉? The new bike’s frame is fabulous. Love how the bottles slip into the frame ❤

[@TheBicycleTourists]

It's definitely a European design, you see this kind of design all over Europe,

[@colinwellman9480]

Another enjoyable reminder of journeys I've taken. Oh boy do I remember that stretch and the wind. It can get very boring in that flat landscape over reclaimed land. I did a day ride starting from Talmont-Saint-Hilaire and nearly gave up. The wind was so strong and never let up, I began to doubt I'd made the right call to go. The return was far easier and much faster! La Rochelle is a truly lovely town, very chic and full of history. I had 3 days there last September and went by train but with our bikes. We met with friends of friends who live there and they kindly showed us around. I'm planning on repeating it this year. Not many bike tourists buy a bike in the middle of their tour, very brave👍. I hope the bike shop gave you a decent trade in on the old one. I'm not sure if you did go on to visit Rochefort but that is another interesting town with a lot of naval history but not as chic as la Rochelle. Down stream there is a famous transporter bridge and we took a ride over the Charente river on it some years back. Thanks for sharing the video and I hope Julianna gets on well with the new bike.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Keep watching! We visit Rochefort and stumble upon that transporter as you call it, never seen anything like it! I rode on reclaimed land like this north of Amsterdam and it was similarly brutal with the wind. Nature doesn’t give up easily.

[@Biking360]

What an adventure. Congrats on the new bike though a little sad to see the old one go. You look like you are having the time of your lives :)

[@TheBicycleTourists]

You know, Jay, we're sitting here with our coffee, waiting out a March that refuses to warm up, and thinking how great it would be to be cack out there. I need another time of our lives!

[@Biking360]

@@TheBicycleTourists I think you guys are going to have plenty more moments in the sun together. Plenty of beautiful places to see, food to eat, people to meet, crazy headwinds, laughter, hardships, and amazing experiences to last a lifetime. I sincerely hope our paths cross one day to break bread and share some stories.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

That would be great. Would love to connect and share a route together!

[@amadreiter1]

This is some really nice camerawork and post-production. Superb.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you! Appreciate that!

[@dondonner1095]

I love new bike day. You have me interested in those handlebars now.Another great video and I got my share of wind today also at the cost of a broken mirror and some nice scratches while parked taking a break. Oh Well.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Nothing saps your energy like wind. Sorry about the blowdown. Ive had times when I thought the wind would take me down while I was riding. Take care, Don!

[@leGrand-Nord]

My wife and I, spent 3 days in La Rochelle, while cycling southward to Hendaye…. On the vélodyssée , it was in July 2023, and we had found an air B&B , we used the 3 days to visit the island of RÉ , an excursion to Fort Boyard , …. And a taste of the many restaurants ……😅

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Such a great location. Beautiful place to spend a bit of time.

[@leGrand-Nord]

@@TheBicycleTourists Further south , we spent another 3 days in Arcachon, with a reputation for their oysters… we found this city to be a surprisingly beautiful place With it’s beaches and restaurants .

[@TheBicycleTourists]

It's good to be able to stop and rest, and smell the roses, even on a bike tour.

[@markclemens3409]

The atmosphere in the movie musical Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (The Young Ladies of Rochefort), starring Catherine Deneuve and her sister Francoise Dorléac, captures the feeling of this corner of France. If you loved the vibe of La Rochelle, you might enjoy the movie. Music by Michel Legrand.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I will definitely be looking for that. Love Deneuve, Legrand, and French movies!

[@e-BikeLife]

Super! Thanks for taking me back to La Ville Blanche! LaRochelle is without doubt one of our favorite cities in France. Our hotel was at the very inner most tip of the harbor so we had that view each evening. This is one of the videos we made of our time in LaRochelle La Rochelle Travel Guide - Part I kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5C5eGOKp7J-bsU Glad you liked the place as much as we did. Keeping my fingers crossed that Julianna’s new bike is everything she hopes.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Loved the video! Thanks for sending! La Ville Blanch! We had no idea it was even here, one of the great things about traveling by the seat of your pants is that everything is a surprise! BTW, after many miles, Julianna loves her new bike!

[@e-BikeLife]

@@TheBicycleTourists I'm glad to hear it. It must have been a little nerve wracking to buy a new bike and to set off without any break-in period to work out any bugs.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Julianna trusts her gut! And anything off can always be fixed, especially in France.

[@michelesauret7779]

The towns along the Atlantic coast are full full in july and august : favorite french vacation places with the mediterranean riviera

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I prefer the off-seasons in places like this, for sure. I've never been much of a summer traveler unless it's to places that don't attract the tourists.

[@dooley-ch]

Great as always and congrats on the new bike. However might I ask? What about the rack bag???

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Still unsolved.

[@juliannahenley4921]

Still to this day have not found one as spacious and easily accessible to replace it. It just doesn't fit on my back rack as it should. Just a bad design but I am keeping my eye open for a replacement someday.

[@eff6582]

Bonjour cyclist's reflection " universal direction of the wind: always in your face" In Brittany i'm used it🌬️

[@TheBicycleTourists]

It's true. I swear, I'll take off on an out and back, thinking "I've got a headwind, but at least I'll have a tailwind on the way back". And the wind changes at the point of return. Every. Single. Time.

[@paulfairclough9350]

Was it windy? 😉😉

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Not really. Just a breeze.

[@lesleykenwood2715]

How do you know if the hotels offer bike storage? Do you contact them in advance, or do you wing it?

[@TheBicycleTourists]

We find places online, usually they say if they have storage. Rarely is it a problem in Europe. In the US, rooms are big enough that you can nearly always bring them in with you.

[@cyclistefroisse9267]

Not sure I understand “wing it”, if it means bringing your bike in your room without asking anybody: very bad idea in Europe. Like for the [not needed] spigots, you have to be resourceful 😉, hotels have more, improvised but safe, bike storage options, at least for 1 up to 2 bikes, than the reception staff think, talk to the management.

[@cyclistefroisse9267]

Not sure I understand “wing it”, if it means bringing your bike in your room without asking anybody: very bad idea in Europe. Like for the [not needed] spigots, you have to be resourceful 😉, hotels have more, improvised but safe, bike storage options, at least for 1 up to 2 bikes, than the reception staff think, talk to the management.

[@cyclistefroisse9267]

Not sure I understand “wing it”, if it means bringing your bike in your room without asking anybody: very bad idea in Europe. Like for the [not needed] spigots, you have to be resourceful 😉, hotels have more, improvised but safe, bike storage options, at least for 1 up to 2 bikes, than the reception staff think, talk to the management.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

By "wing it" I think she means figure it out when you get there. We found nearly all European hotels have some sort of storage, but definitely not all.

[@bwilsonduncan]

1:28 ..." strong headwinds...." You say that in just about every episode! Maybe you're just pedaling too fast!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Hey! France was really windy!