i left montpellier feeling very tired, and my left knee was playing up again, kind of a different niggle than what my right knee was doing. over all spent 4 days riding, fighting terrible headwinds and shithouse french roads. not sure why the french are known for cycling as this area isnt particularly good for it and i rarely see other cyclists. the roads are not cycle friendly and even when do put in bike lanes they have been chooped up and patched so many times its a terrible ride with a loaded bike.

day 1 - only 30km

day 2 - 50km slow and tired with more knee trouble

day 3 did 70km, spent alot of time doing stretches to try and help the knees. slight improvement

overall i havent been loving france. the people much colder than thain spain, im lost with the language and scenery average. much harder to meet people....though its hard to enjoy a cycling trip when you aremt enjoying the cycling due to old man knees...

day 4 - late yesterday the scenery improved incredibly. have been following this large river that was rigged up to a massive hydro elec plant.  after finally finding a riverside camp spot. woke up early as it wasnt that well hidden and was positive to have a big km day. did heaps of stretching. the winds were still up, bit at least it wasnt raining........or so i thought...... these crazy freezing arctic winds came in and brought a bunch of storms in with them. luckily you could see them coming so i could find cover when they rolled in and i stayed somewhat dry. late arvo the knees started playing up at the very end of the ride which ended up being 90km. the scenery has gotten great now im on the edge of the alps, and the final 10km gave me this fantastic downhill run into this village call saint nazaire en romans, which i think is the most beautiful place ive ever seen in my life.

i was so freezing, (found out its just an odd cold snap for this time of year) i ended up camping in the village camp grounds just to have a hot shower (and for 10 euros thats all you get, byo tp and everything else, not even hand soap in the bathrooms). some french hippies who roam aroumd getting seasonal work were also there so had a beer with them. they had the french equilavent of one of those 'wicked' vans thatnthey lived out of. "alternative" would be hiw i would describe them :)

french villages are again very quiet. if shops open at all they have a siesta or just close at 12pm (they dont open until 10am so really putting im the long hours there). had a big meal and walk aroumd this morning, there is a huge aquaduct that crosses over the village that napoleon built and still acts to supply the closest city valence. im gonna go on this 2 hour boat cruise up the river as its so beautiful, then punch out 40km or so this arvo to break up the 140kmto get to annecy where ill stay tomorrow night after orders from the bevans its a must see.

no photos yet i need the mouse to upload them and left it back at camp. tablets still have their limitations.

so while france hasnt excited me that much so far the alps and the scenery that comes with it definately are. just hoping the knees come good.

actually on that, the original problem, maybe some more explation on that. so after it all i think they came good due to the following things (either some or all of them) 

• physio help and excercises (thanks again danny from malaga)
• brace - this definately assisted initially but didnt need it after everything settled in (thanks to the girls from the malaga ortho shop)
• just time doing the stetches (i started on day 1 in marocco but perhaps just took time to break in)
• glycosamine pills to assist joints 
• i even was eating protein bars for a week in malaga to help with building this leg muscle i needed to strengethen.

after i do big stretching session (multiple daily) the knees definatly do feel better. im hoping this recent problem is a result of not doimg any stretchimg in barcelona on my week off. hopefully thats the case or this trip across the alps is going to involve alot of bike pushing! I guess the adventure continues....