April 23
"Formule 1"
Went to bike shop first thing and fixed bike (put new tube in that actually worked)! Have 2 spares now, each one should be thick enough to get the job done. I figured out that the problem may have been me not putting enough pressure in them upon initial inflation. Nice leisurely ride today, saw the Oratoire Caroligne in Germigny des Prés, a 9th century basilica. Mosaic depicting two cherubim above the Ark of the Covenant.
The previous three days I was unable to shower at the end of the day because I had been camping in the woods / away from amenities. Needless to say I was feeling pretty grungy by the end of this fourth, as yet showerless day. I was looking forward to a nice shower and a nice bed.
I did not enter the downtown of Orleans directly from a riverside bicycle path, but rather on a highway that yielded strip malls as it neared Orleans. I ended up staying at one of the first affordable hotels I could find, Formule 1. This was an awesome experience. It has a car racing theme - ZOOM ZOOM. It is small but all you really need. You have a sink in your room but have to use communal toilets and showers (each one is a separate little cubby) which are automatically cleaned after every few uses. Cool concept. I got a discount at the grill next door, which served up some delicious food. It was a chain but I can't remember the name. Owned by same people as Formule 1 I think. Why choose Formule 1? Their Price-Cleanliness Pledge. Two out of two Formule 1 employees agree!
I watched a show about Columbine on TV later that night. Next day I learned that the reason for the coverage was due to the shooting rampage at Virginia Tech.
3 tubes 16.50
breakfast 5.00
toothpaste, lip balm, milk 6.00
Panache 2.40
Lunch & vin 10.00
Room & breakfast @ Formule 1 32.90
Dinner 25 (dried ham w/ special mustard on bread, baked potato w/ steak hache, apple pie a la mode)
internet 3.50