Day 47 - We did it!!

Lyon. Our finish line. We made it! 

The final kilometers on the river didn't disappoint with a family of swans there to "wave" us goodbye. 

And some interesting river art... Or so we think?

We were only about 25 km from Lyon, we came in along the Saone. Suddenly we were in a big city, a big city with lots of people, cyclists, and graffiti. 

A total change from what we have been used too. We toured around the old city of cobblestoned streets and narrow lanes. And "took a coffee" at lovely little cafe. 

But it was a Bouchon that we were seeking for our lunch. We found one on the Ile.  Bouchon Les Filles. But when we arrived we were told we could not leave our bikes on the sidewalk in view of the tables inside. We didn't know what to do, we couldn't leave all of our worldly possessions out of our sight, there is no way to lock a pannier. So we took out our phones in search of another option.  The maitre d then returned outside and said we could bring our panniers in the restaurant with us and lock our bikes to the bike rack across the street. The two of us, carrying all our stuff, into a tiny restaurant already overcrowded with tables and people. 🥰

We made it work. Everyone made it work. And we enjoyed a wonderful meal, elbow to elbow with the other patrons, eating way more than we needed, and enjoying every bite. 

Lyon has some elevation. We found it after lunch as we did our own little tour of the island and the city. 

We made our way all the way down the Saone to the Confluence. The Rhone and the Saone coming together. There was some serious wind today. Making the cycling a bit of a challenge. But nice to have at our backs when the sun was shining through. 

This pont is the Confluence between the two rivers. 

And then we climbed towards Jacques and Marion's place. 

Dinner at the neighborhood Bistro was very different than lunch. We didn't have to take our panniers off, but we did have to wait two hours to actually get our food. Oops. But that's ok, all part of the experience. 

We are done. We are happy and healthy and safe and tired. We need some time to reflect. 

2,452 kms.