Post #1 | 1 June 2016

Hey PCM Daily!

Here I am, writing to you from an apartment in Martigues, France with my statistics textbook and French pocket dictionary idly poised. Ironically, 1 year ago I would've told you that I'd be in an apartment with a stats book next to me. Except I pictured it more along the lines of an apartment in Stellebosch (at the university) and, instead of stressing about my next French confrontation in the supermarket, stressing about an upcoming exam.

Went on a leg loosener ride this morning (I say morning but it's more like noon. Here's a tip - nobody really does much before 9am). Radoslav - my Bulgarian room mate - guided me around the basic in-and-outs of the town. I appreciate the gesture, but it's pretty much a futile activity seeing that the area is one giant maze of roads, side-streets, and pharmacies (pharmacies everywhere) - and I have no sense of direction. I'm bound to get lost anyway.

Nonetheless, Radoslav is a really nice guy and by the looks of it is a super strong bike rider. The scenery and training routes are just amazing. Martigues is on the Cote d'Azur, so the coast line is breath-taking (along with Rado's tempo). There is no way I can ever get bored on a training ride here. Up and down, left and right, the entire time. It doesn't take much to predict that the racing here will be fast and crazy. Very crazy.

Still waiting to get word on a racing schedule, but the next week will be spent settling in to training and the French lifestyle. Goes without saying that I can't wait to get racing! I know the kind of suffering that awaits, but looking forward to taking part with the team.

On the subject of adjusting to the lifestyle - I went to the supermarket this afternoon (500m away) to buy something. To this point I can't remember what that "something" was. Anyway, once in the store I panicked. And in order to not look suspicious by walking out with nothing, I bought a baguette. People walking around everywhere with baguettes is a real thing in France. If you want to blend-in in France - buy a baguette!

à plus tard!
- Aidan