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Published: March 13th 2021
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Due to commitments this morning today's ride had to be this afternoon. As luck would have this proved to be the best weather of the day. There was a ferocious westerly wind but it stayed dry. (Unlike this morning when we went on the market and got soaked in a hail storm). Today's route was Pendleton, Wiswell, Whalley, Billington, Dinkley, and into Ribchester. Then Gallows Lane, Hurst Green and home.
Our virtual journey would be leaving Villefranche sur Saone and continuing to stay close to the river. We leave on the D933 which later becomes D433 and goes right into the centre of Lyon along the River Saone. It is mainly traffic free until we get close to the centre. Lyon is on the confluence of the Rhone and Saone. There is something quite exhilarating about arriving in a major city by bicycle, especially when you can do it on traffic free roads.
On our first time through Lyon, in 2009, we got lost on the way out and went through the red light district. Women were sat in the middle of the wide Avenues, in the afternoon sun, touting for business.
On our second visit, in 2011,
we stayed two nights for a rest day. Our hotel was about four miles out of the centre and we walked about twelve miles on our 'day off' so it was not really that restful. Since then we have opted for rest days in smaller places where a gentle amble takes in the scenery or, if in Cities, to wander round and just see what we see rather than having a list of things we must see.
Lyon is France's second city, one of France's oldest cities, and is reputed as the gourmet capital of France. It's large historic centre, Le Vieux Lyon, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is the largest ensemble of Renaissance buildings in Europe. It has over two million inhabitants. Lyon is also the main city on the road and rail routes between Paris and the south of France, Paris and the Alps and Italy, and northern Europe and Spain.
Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, Lyon was one of the most important cities of the Roman empire, and capital of Gaul, an area comprising most of modern France and Belgium. In the Middle Ages it was an important trading city astride
the routes from Northwest Europe to the Mediterranean and to Italy. Later it became famed as the capital of the French silk weaving industry and then a major textiles centre. Today it is a major industrial and business hub with excellent rail and road links and one of France's busiest provincial airports.
We have now been on the road for four weeks and have covered 688 miles.
Photos show Clocher de Hospital de la Charite de Lyon, Statue of the Republic, Metallic tower of Fourviere, a street view of Lyon and two views entering Lyon on the D433.
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