TWO THINGS

Two rather unexpected things make biking in France the best possible finale to the long, meandering ride from the Balkans to the Atlantic:

1. There is an extensive system of Green Ways along the many canals that connect the main rivers. These recreational routes are like biking highways. You can zoom through beautiful scenery without any traffic. At times busy with other bikers but mostly very quiet. I had just not thought France would be biking country number one! After the record rainfall the water level is so high that the canals are almost at the same level as the paths creating a surreal visual experience.

2. And the winner of the friendliest locals contest in all 9 countries is ... drumroll for all Francophobes ... FRANCE! I have always enjoyed being with the French but I also know they have a terrible reputation when it comes to friendliness. Honestly, I have not been anywhere else where every single person says hello, accompanied by a smile, where people are so very very helpful, and genuinely interested. People bike along for miles and miles Serbia-style (i.e. to interview me about myself, my trip, my bike, my job, my husband "oh lala, you know, my wife is not sportive are all") and are just full of happy chats and bubbly enthusiasm. It is so often said the French are rude to tourists. But believe me: it is clear I am a tourist, I surely couldn't be mistaken for a local as my sweatpants have become sweatshorts with help of the first aid kit scissors, my flip-flops are padded with wet grass and mud and I look like someone who spent the last two months riding a bicycle through heat waves, snow storms and rain showers.