8th Day 2018 Messanges to Bidart (South of Biarritz)

            Under the shelter I was able to pack dry but put on all my rain gear.  The rain was heavy for 30 minutes but I was dry and comfortable beneath the rain gear.  Down the road I stripped off the rain gear even though the skies remained threatening.  The wind beat a steady beat however the rain remained aloft.

            There was very nicely paved biking path next to the road 90% of the time.  Unfortunately, 10% of the path deviated into parts even Daniel Boone would have found daunting.  In the lower areas the recent rains had totally flooded the path creating puddles large enough to qualify as lakes in Minnesota.  These forced a back tracking and I finally settled on the road whenever the path disappeared from sight.  Drivers were annoyed whenever they encountered cyclists not on the bike paths.  I tried to warn to young French paths of the obstacles ahead however they forged ahead.  I would have liked to see their faces when they ran into the “lakes.”

            Reaching Bayonne I chose badly.  Instead of crossing through the center of town, I decided to ride the perimeter adding kilometers to the ride.

            The ups and downs of the gorgeous coastline ate up one battery and I struggled into Bidart.  The first campground did not accept tent campers and the nice lady suggested one nearby.  Unfortunately, the campground was four star with a price to match.  Illogically, a tent camper pays the same price and as camper van.  And they shuttle the tent campers off to a less desirable area.

Happy trails to you until we meet again!

Much joy!!!
Hardy