Sandy Beaches Within My Reaches
Trip Start
Mar 04, 2008
1
28
36
Trip End
Oct 06, 2008

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Quite the piece of coastline they have here, south of Arachon anyways. The northern bit of this peninsula west of Bordeaux wasn't so great for the cycle tourist with its inland highway. As far as I can tell the areq attracts 4 types of people:
1. Les Riches - frequent the resorts and resort towns, hitting up the cafes and les boulangeries during their annual two week vacations.
2. The Neo-hippies/Surfers - VW and converted camper vans abound here. They cruise the strip (Hwy 101) in 60s California style, smokin da ganj and hitting all the beaches en-route in search of that perfect wave, or perfect dime bag (hippies never buy more than a dime bag at a time).
3. The 4x4 Enthusiast - tearing up the sand and pine forest at 1.80 euros per litre.
4. The RV Campers - thrive off being penned in zith bratty kids qnd associated famioly members, yappy dogs, melancholy teenagers embarassed to be vacationing with their parents, and retirees driving around apartment blocks on wheels.
Seriously, you should see the campgrounds here. They are disgusting. So crowded. Everyday for the past week I've told myself I'll give in tonight and go to a campground. Then I get to the gates. I see the chaos. I see the clientele. I have nothing in common with any of these people. Anyone who would subject themselves to that, let alone enjoy it, I don't want to have anything to do with.
Anyway, the coastline has been gorgeous (Tofino meets northern Cali) but it's time to leave. The tourists are really getting to me, not to mention the traffic. Into the hills I go! The Pyranees! Next stop, Pamplona, Spain.
Quite the piece of coastline they have here, south of Arachon anyways. The northern bit of this peninsula west of Bordeaux wasn't so great for the cycle tourist with its inland highway. As far as I can tell the areq attracts 4 types of people:
1. Les Riches - frequent the resorts and resort towns, hitting up the cafes and les boulangeries during their annual two week vacations.
2. The Neo-hippies/Surfers - VW and converted camper vans abound here. They cruise the strip (Hwy 101) in 60s California style, smokin da ganj and hitting all the beaches en-route in search of that perfect wave, or perfect dime bag (hippies never buy more than a dime bag at a time).
3. The 4x4 Enthusiast - tearing up the sand and pine forest at 1.80 euros per litre.
4. The RV Campers - thrive off being penned in zith bratty kids qnd associated famioly members, yappy dogs, melancholy teenagers embarassed to be vacationing with their parents, and retirees driving around apartment blocks on wheels.
Seriously, you should see the campgrounds here. They are disgusting. So crowded. Everyday for the past week I've told myself I'll give in tonight and go to a campground. Then I get to the gates. I see the chaos. I see the clientele. I have nothing in common with any of these people. Anyone who would subject themselves to that, let alone enjoy it, I don't want to have anything to do with.
Anyway, the coastline has been gorgeous (Tofino meets northern Cali) but it's time to leave. The tourists are really getting to me, not to mention the traffic. Into the hills I go! The Pyranees! Next stop, Pamplona, Spain.

Comments
Dear Mr. Bruce
We regret to inform you that your Canadian Passport has been revoked due to several international complaints regarding bicycle safety, failure to maintain even the most basic levels of personal hygiene, and dangerously low beef intake. Effective immediately you are required to change your name to Nancy, remove your bike seat, and head back to Germany.
Peter McKay
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Government of Canada
Wow
Things have got to be pretty disgusting if *you* refuse to stay there. Clearly detailed photos are required.
Re: Dear Mr. Bruce
Thanks for your concern, Pete. However such action is impossible at this point. I am long past the point of re-entering society on a socially acceptable level. I am better off here...hiding in the bushes, than I ever would be back in Canada.
Re: Wow
Hey, I can handle extreme levels of pretty much anything, so long as it doesn´t impede on my privacy. Frat house for example...disgusting, but at least I had my own room. French campgrounds? The spawning ground for the Black Plague for the 21st century. Don´t go near ém.