Day 9
Dampierre-sur-Loire to Restigné
35k
Feeling a bit like a tourist. But, this was always planned to be the touristic part of the ride, with the hills coming later.
Our hostess at last night’s B&B, in addition to offering … Read the rest
Day 8: Chambre de Marguerite d’ Anjou
Day 8
Angers to Dampierre-sur-Loire
58k
Feeling – a sense of history
Our room in our B&B tonight was used by Marguerite, Queen of England by marriage to King Henry VI, and daughter of Rene of Anjou. She was crowned … Read the rest
Day 7: Angers
Day 7, Wednesday 13 September
Thorigné-d’Anjou to Angers
30k
Feeling a bit damp, but in good shape and spirits
Our B&B at Thorigné-d’Anjou, Le Rideau Miné, proved to be another real find. Sat in the garden on the banks of … Read the rest
Day 6: Pays de la Loire
Day 6, Tuesday 12 September
Soudan to Thorigné-d’Anjou
59k
Feeling good.
Over dinner last night we met two German geologists who gave us the rather disturbing news that, apparently, there’s already evidence of the next glacial period starting. They then … Read the rest
Day 5: In the spa at La Marmoire
Day 5, Monday 11 September
Rennes to Soudan, 64k.
After a hard day in the saddle, battling wind and rain, a little rest and recuperation is in order. No better place to do that than http://www.lamarmoire.com
A great place to … Read the rest
Day 4: bucolic Breton countryside
Day 4, Sunday 10 September
Quebriac to Rennes
44k (well it is Sunday), feeling good
This is what it’s all about. Calm sunny morning. Gliding through the Breton countryside. Morning coffee in a village bar. Buy some cheese and pate … Read the rest
Day 3: en France
Day 3, Saturday 9 September
St Malo to Quebriac via Dinan
58k. Feeling drier after the deluge.
Well it was a pretty rough night in the Channel so we didn’t get much sleep, but felt better after some breakfast in … Read the rest
Day 2: deluge and puncture
Day 2
Dunsfold to Portsmouth via South Downs and Chichester.
77k cycled. Feeling wet.
Liz keeps asking me if I’m having fun as we cycle through the hail and torrential rain. Then, we reach Chichester, stop for hot soup, and … Read the rest
Day 1 – Departure
Day 1.
Wimbledon to Dunsfold.
65k cycled. Feeling good.
Finally, after years of talking and planning, the day has come. Sue next door waved us off, and then it was miles of busy roads in London traffic to get out … Read the rest
One day to go – am I ready?
Tornac or bust, via Portsmouth and St Malo
Liz and I set off on Stage 1 to the Loire valley tomorrow morning