Bike-Minded Travelers

A Bib for Two

September 4th

Today we took the train to Valence and rode back to Tain l'Hermitage, about 32km. Because it was a Sunday we weren't sure what would be open for lunch so we bought a sandwich in the first boulangerie we found in Valence. Either this place is really great or it's the only one open on Sunday because we had to wait in line to get in to make our purchase.

The ViaRhona bike route is a little hard to find from the gare in Valence but with phones and maps on the internet using my cellular data we finally found the trail. The surface was very smooth but out in the sun and it was pretty hot. We kept trying to find a picnic table in the shade but ended up eating our lunch under a bridge. The view was great and we saw a fisherman catch a little fish but I still felt a little like a homeless person. We crossed the river at La Roche and rode on the west side of the Rhone through the little commune of Glun and found a lovely park with tons of tables in the shade on a lake. Take note...just a few kilometers after the bridge we could have had a really nice picnic spot. From here Tournon-sur-Rhone was just 10km away and it is just across the pedestrian bridge (the oldest bridge in Europe) from Tain l’Hermitage and our cute little apartment.

View on the bike trail

Jay loved all the dams on the Rhone

Tournon Castle from the bridge

A little advertising for Bike Friday

Our Address

I made a reservation for tonight a while back at Le Quai, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, that had great reviews. After we were seated overlooking the bridge on the Rhone we were sold and that was before the amazing dinner and wine! We think this place deserves at least a Michelin star but I guess it is too reasonably priced which is one of the Bib Gourmand requirements I believe. As we left we made a return reservation for a few nights later. Why explore further when you have found perfection?