Across Europe

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Trip start
April 8, 2023
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Friday, April 7, 2023 at 7:42 PM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Scotland Causewayhead 56.126842, -3.91959156°7’37” N 3°55’11” W
On your marks....
April 7, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
Last job done! Bikes packed!! Heading south tomorrow. Then north for ...... ever😬
TravelerJealous beyond words. Look forward to following this adventure.
4/7/23Reply
TravelerOnwards and UPwards! All the best Simon! On yer bike…
4/7/23Reply
All the best Simon. [Colin Abercrombie]
4/7/23Reply
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Day 2
Sunday, April 9, 2023 at 3:14 PM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 36 m
Portugal Cabo de São Vicente 37.023457, -8.9955837°1’24” N 8°59’44” W
Get set...
April 9, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
So we're finally here at the start line. Sagres describes itself as the end of the world( or, alternatively, the last bratwurst before America: I think those two descriptions are really saying the same thing).
Only way from here is North.
Tomorrow.Read more
TravelerExciting! Have a great trip - the weather is certainly looking great.
4/9/23Reply
TravelerMust’ve about time for a coffee stop!!? ☕️
4/10/23Reply
TravelerNice top Simon
4/10/23Reply
TravelerSo cool. I was at the end of the world in Spain last month. This looks better,
4/10/23Reply
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Day 3
Monday, April 10, 2023 at 9:52 AM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 21 m
Portugal Barranco do Vale Burrinho 37.183231, -8.89515637°10’60” N 8°53’43” W
Go!!!
April 10, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Start as I mean to go on...
TravelerExcellent. We’re just having a cup of tea we’ve begged!
4/10/23Reply
TravelerSweet . . . in so many ways.
4/10/23Reply
Those pastel de bars were well cooked🙄 [Al Appleby]
8/23/23Reply
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Day 3
Monday, April 10, 2023 at 9:10 PM
🌙 16 °C
Altitude: 38 m
Portugal Odemira 37.59593, -8.6416537°35’45” N 8°38’30” W
Odemira
April 10, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 16 °C
First day completed. Brisk headwind was challenging especially for the first hour or two. The windmills should have been a clue. surprisingly wild coastline. Lots of surf dudes in bombed out campervans. My gears playing up a bit but littoralbykes near Odemira did us proud.Read more
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Day 4
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 4:37 PM
Altitude: 175 m
Portugal Adega Varrasquinho 37.963566, -8.08631837°57’49” N 8°5’11” W
1 2
Ervidel
April 11, 2023 in Portugal
And so into the baking interior. Lovely rolling countryside lit up by spring wild flowers. A bit of roadkill as reminder of the beasties in the bushes: maybe wild camping not such a good idea? And a wee bug carrying a lot of kit- I have some sympathy. Lunch was in the cement works canteen. 🤷‍♂️And finally we joined the n2 -now just follow it north...Read more
TravelerBeastie looks like a Devil's Coachhorse.
4/11/23Reply
Traveler 😱
4/11/23Reply
TravelerYour weather looks significantly better than ours.
4/11/23Reply
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Day 5
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:36 PM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 241 m
Portugal Montemor-o-Novo 38.648103, -8.21686338°38’53” N 8°13’1” W
1 1
Montemor-o-novo
April 12, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Cooler today. Fast start then a relaxed afternoon( museum stop & large lunch put paid to record setting) large birds fighting overhead- ?storks. A snake jumped out of the undergrowth in front of me. More dangerous are the Portuguese drivers- n2 is a quiet but fast road... detours off the n2 are few and far between and generally poor quality. Endless rolling hills of cork forests.Read more
TravelerLooks great dad. How’s the legs feeling?!
4/12/23Reply
TravelerLooks good weather. No storm Noah for you!
4/12/23Reply
TravelerA bit wobbly today. We've a long day tomorrow but then have 2 days off in Lisbon to recuperate🍷
4/12/23Reply
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Day 6
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 6:15 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 178 m
Portugal Praça Barão da Batalha 39.46243, -8.20400239°27’45” N 8°12’14” W
Abrantes
April 13, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Pre breakfast and chilly start allowed for multiple pasteis da nata breaks as we ate up the miles through relatively flat repetition of days 2 and 3. Lakeside at montaguil- but road busier and faster and killer head wind omnipresent. Surprise hill at the end up to a hotel perched on top of a hill in Abrantes- the first significant town of the trip.
Getting through some miles today allows for 2 days in Lisbon- with no bikes!!!Read more
TravelerTail wind would be nice…..
4/13/23Reply
TravelerEnjoy your days on two legs. Hear’s hoping for some tailwinds afterwards
4/13/23Reply
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Day 7
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 10:35 PM
🌙 15 °C
Altitude: 39 m
Portugal Praça da Alegria 38.717624, -9.14427138°43’3” N 9°8’39” W
Lisbon
April 14, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
Feel guilty posting this but a day ( or two) off from the bikes and trained into Lisbon. What an amazing yet confusing city! Plenty of A- listed sights , but so much more to wander around .
TravelerResting already? Sorry for missing the start. Mark reminded me! No need to stop in Munich; Pep has sorted that one... Good luck hereon 🍀
4/14/23Reply
Travelerfantastic photos 😄
4/23/23Reply
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Day 8
Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 3:58 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 30 m
Portugal Santa Apolónia 38.714047, -9.12267338°42’51” N 9°7’22” W
Lisbon.2
April 15, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
History, high art, hills and hot
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Day 9
Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 11:21 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 572 m
Portugal Serra da Melriça 39.694203, -8.13018139°41’39” N 8°7’49” W
2
2 3
Pedrogao pequeno
April 16, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
And into the hills.. hot today and the northerly winds eased a bit. Most of this part of the n2 has new faster bypass bits- once we realised the old road still existed, was in good condition and was all but traffic free we settled into a lovely day. Even saw some other cyclists. Visited the geodesic centre of Portugal-don't know what it means but it was up a 15% ramp in the midday heat. Lunch was a feast next to the old bridge in Serta with lovely chat to a couple of expats who were living the "good life " here. Tonight-another "quirky" twin peaks hotel recommended by Jude- great views, but, inevitably, up another steep hill!!Read more
Traveler Looks like Stirling Old Bridge
4/16/23Reply
TravelerHealth and safety would never allow such low parapets in the uk. Even in the 17th century...🤣
4/16/23Reply
Traveler Where does the N2 go from and to?
4/16/23Reply
TravelerFaro (south) to chaves( north) . We're just borrowing a bit of it
4/16/23Reply
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Day 10
Monday, April 17, 2023 at 5:29 PM
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 51 m
Portugal Cabeço da Morada 40.276763, -8.26678240°16’36” N 8°16’0” W
1 1 3
Penacova
April 17, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Amazing meandering road through the heat of the mountains today with plenty climbing and a 20k descent . However a dark side to this scenery: we're told the devastating fires of 2017 were started on purpose to clear vast swathes of old deciduous forests: fast growing eucalyptus monoculture taking over. All part of portugals plans to maintain europes supply of toilet paperRead more
Traveler Will keep looking for the immaterial heritage
4/17/23Reply
Traveler Big and small, old and new
4/17/23Reply
Traveler Bimbo!
4/17/23Reply
TravelerHow dare he!
4/18/23Reply
Traveler 🤪
4/17/23Reply
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Day 11
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 9:02 PM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 493 m
Portugal Praça de Dom Duarte 40.659402, -7.91172940°39’34” N 7°54’42” W
1 1
Viseu
April 18, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
A day of variety. The first bit cool and shady following hydroelectric complex- flat and lakeside interspersed with 12% ramps up the dams. Most of the N2 cycle way is very well signposted here but then it disappears around for example motorway bridges 🤷‍♂️. Then we ended up wandering across a quarry and scaling 8ft high fences to access the ecopista de dao. 🚜 Once found , this is a real gem-45 km of traffic free tarred cycle path along an old railway line that drops you out in the middle of Viseu: our destination for tonight. Great university city buzzing with life. Jay from Brazil- or was it Boston led us to a bike shop that hopefully have fixed all the creaking and groaning coming from my bike ( a luxury not extended to myself). " We like to eat pig" he proclaimed.Read more
Traveler Ah ! Theres the cycle way...
4/18/23Reply
Traveler Life in the fast lane😳
4/18/23Reply
TravelerThe 'scenic' route. Unexpected detours. Hmmm....Alton Towers?
4/18/23Reply
TravelerHad an excellent Eccles pike descent today. No Capris going the other way...
4/19/23Reply
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Day 12
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 88 m
Portugal Ribeiro da Meia Légua 41.162658, -7.80437341°9’46” N 7°48’16” W
1
Peso da Regua
April 19, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Viseu was marvellous but is surrounded by hills. Geographically we reached a the high point today- possibly for the whole trip? otherwise the high point was an interrupted 30km/ 800m descent to Peso. Here we join the Douro valley and will spend a couple of days exploring the area- lots of vineyards 🍷🤪. The descent took us through Lamego and a great Tapas bar halfway up the outrageous baroque staircase up to the Igreja.Read more
Traveler Looks great. Scenery outstanding. Weather fab. Enjoy the Douro. M & D
4/19/23Reply
TravelerLove the sound of that descent. It would be bloody chilly to do that here. Keep peddling.
4/19/23Reply
TravelerLoving your photos! Enjoy the valley
4/19/23Reply
TravelerAll looks great. Looks like you are close to leaving Portugal for Spain.
4/20/23Reply
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Day 13
Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 8:11 PM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 82 m
Portugal Ribeiro da Meia Légua 41.162534, -7.8044241°9’45” N 7°48’16” W
1 1
Pochino
April 20, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Peso is where we split from the n2 and I start to head east ( and Helen will head west to Porto and home). The Douro valley is a "must see" destination with terraced vineyards cascading down ( unfortunately ) steep hillsides. The Douro cuts deeply through mountains and drains a large part of the NE plains of Spain.the complex geography means a lot of steep ups and downs: not ideal bike touring country. So i've done todays 100k/2000m unlaiden and got the amazing "bucket list " train ride back to the start. Ride with gps came up with some outrageous route choices, including an extensive precipitous cobbled section- and a tarmac section that ( I think) will be the steepest road I've riden down. Good news though- from the last hill I could see Spain!!! Saturdays job.Read more
Traveler Saturdays riding- Spain!!!
4/21/23Reply
Traveler A ride with gps top choice- super steep tarmac followed by bike destroying cobbles: walking down hill!!
4/21/23Reply
TravelerThose bridges are amazing!
4/21/23Reply
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Day 14
Friday, April 21, 2023 at 10:43 PM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: 88 m
Portugal Ribeiro da Meia Légua 41.162711, -7.80439341°9’46” N 7°48’16” W
1
Peso da Regua
April 21, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Rest day today. Explored a few vineyards and produce thereof. It rained!! Last day with Hels. 😔
TravelerDelicious.!
4/21/23Reply
Traveler The dreaded "photo of my lunch" shot.
4/22/23Reply
TravelerWould normally unfriend you for sharing lunch pictures but that is a mighty lunch!!! Good luck with your solo travels from here on. Enjoying the photos.
4/22/23Reply
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Day 15
Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 8:20 PM
🌙 13 °C
Altitude: 687 m
Portugal Lhargo D. João III 41.495447, -6.27373141°29’44” N 6°16’25” W
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Miranda do Douro
April 22, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
Sad to see Helen off on the train to Porto and her own adventures packing her bike away. My train back to pocinho was cancelled then delayed so didn't get on the road til 1pm. Decidedly cooler today so made reasonable time slogging out of the valley and onto the plateau that defines this corner of Portugal. Also had 15 k on a nice cinder cycle way - until I realised that the road, largely alongside had virtually no traffic . Indeed today, over the first 100k, I'd be surprised if I was passed by as many as 100 cars. This corner is pretty remote - known as the " wild east" of Portugal. I eventually arrived in the border town of Miranda d D at 7 - or was that 8- my phone keeps switching between Portugal time and Spanish time. Here they speak a different language, do stick dances and wear silly hats.Read more
Traveler Spain!!!
4/22/23Reply
Traveler Silly hats and stick dances
4/22/23Reply
TravelerMaking good progress. Hope you’ve practiced your Spanish. Look forward to many more lunch photos 🥗
4/22/23Reply
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Day 16
Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 8:29 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 739 m
Spain Canal de Campos 41.88203, -5.04502841°52’55” N 5°2’42” W
1
Medina de Rioseco
April 23, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Well finally crossed into Spain! I awoke to eagles circling above the Douro gorge that makes the portguese/ Spanish border and they remained a feature of the first couple of hours cycling. Rocky plateau covered in dry stone walls constructed between huge menhirs every few yards. There was no signs of ( current) life for the first 20k of Spain- a bombed out petrol station and a boarded up village- and eagles. Gradually this made way for cleared land and large scale crops and I joined a lovely valley where I gate-crashed an ultra running race and cycled down(up?) to Zamora with one of the spectators cycling home. I was able to sneak around Zamora's impressive castle on bike as it was Sunday free day and there were disabled access ramps everywhere😉. A mega tail wind and flat cycling was too tempting so pushed on to Toro for lunch. For the same reason decided to add another 50k to the day and was blown into Medina. Castles everywhere- must be why this area is called Castilla y Leon. Very much on the Camino Frances here so will try and follow it for a while to get the pilgrim vibe/ mow down pedestrians/ cheap accomodation🤪Read more
Traveler So lucky to see eagles.
4/23/23Reply
TravelerSounds and looks lovely
4/23/23Reply
TravelerThey might be griffon vultures?
4/23/23Reply
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Day 17
Monday, April 24, 2023 at 7:46 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 878 m
Spain Plaza Mayor 42.342446, -3.70383142°20’33” N 3°42’14” W
1 1 3 1 1
Burgos
April 24, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Another sizeable day with favourable tail winds and flat terrain- it took more than 2 hrs to have climbed 30metres! Just as well as all I could find for breakfast was doughnuts. Palencia looked interesting but seemed a hassle after the open roads. That said, my new best friend, Arno from Carcasonne, agreed too. He is cycle touring and our paths crossed several times today. After casteljeriz everything changed: we joined the Camino Santiago. Where there was no body there now were ramblers every 50 yards. Literally. And it's only April. My bell got a good work out. With the Camino also came lots of signs ( following EuroVelo 1 too: haven't seen signs for that sine day 1) and lots of auberges/ cafes, but also a choice between road (indirect: long day) and gravel( direct: sore bum) . Hotel central in Burgos which looks like a lovely cityRead more
Traveler Sometimes you've just got to accept the detour
4/24/23Reply
Traveler Rush hour
4/24/23Reply
Traveler Why?
4/24/23Reply
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Day 18
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 6:40 PM
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 411 m
Spain Plaza Darmstadt 42.465694, -2.45176842°27’56” N 2°27’6” W
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Logorno
April 25, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
I discovered a new range of mountains today - the sierra de cebollera. They lie between Burgos and Logorno- and became my high point of the ride so far. Fortunately Burgos sits at 850m so there wasn't much climbing up them. However I didn't fancy much uphill Camino gravel for the first 20 k - so opted for the adjacent n102. This was undoubtedly the busiest road I've been on so far, with a procession of big trucks. The hard shoulder is broad and usually clean but never big enough with the lorries' draft. So it wasn't a hard decision to find a detour which was beautiful and quiet- but long.
Over the hill and I drop out of the Douro catchment and into the Ebro which drains into the Med. I was strangely excited by this as a mark of my progress. The watershed also delineated the border between Castile y Leon and Rioja- the smallest Spanish county. And a return to vines. A shadow on the horizon delineates the next barrier- the Pyrenees.Read more
Traveler Every other day just run 'em down?
4/25/23Reply
Traveler Burgos
4/25/23Reply
TravelerHope you have a couple of glasses of Rioja tonight along with the tapas. Sounds like it’s well deserved if nothing else to calm the nerves after those lorries 👍🍷🍷
4/25/23Reply
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Day 19
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:16 PM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 463 m
Spain Monumento a los Fueros 42.816525, -1.64414542°48’59” N 1°38’39” W
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Pamplona
April 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
A hilly one today with no friendly tailwind. But bumped into Aussie Steven on his Brompton somewhere in the middle which passed some time. I left Rioja almost as soon as I arrived and am now in Navarra. There's a strong Basque influence here with double names for most places (Pamplona is Iruna). The language has many z,x and qs so will be a strong hand in scrabble. Still lots of vineyards- and increasingly pointy mountains on the horizon. The route criss- crossed the Camino so if you couldn't see the hundreds of walkers you will here their walking poles tap tap tapping in the bushes.
Fortunately no bulls running around the streets but lots of bull/ shit paraphernaliaRead more
Traveler Watch out for the ninja nuns in this Camino stop over...
4/26/23Reply
Traveler Spain is really strong in their antisexist signs. Lots round Girona too
4/26/23Reply
Enjoying your tour descriptions retrospectively 😃 [Al Appleby]
8/23/23Reply
Traveler Surprised to see what a large city Pamplona is ,really awesome. And the architecture was beautiful. The scenery is always different . Love all the pics. Stay well and enjoy
9/25/23Reply
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Day 20
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 5:01 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 69 m
France Untxin 43.38562, -1.67530543°23’8” N 1°40’31” W
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St Jean de Luz
April 27, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Wow! What a route today. I had been apprehensive about finding a route through the Pyrenees: big mountains/ complex geography/ lots of unrecognisable place names mixed with the occasional motorway and no go A -road tunnels. However the route today was brilliant! Firstly weaving my way out of Pamplona on mostly car free cycle lanes with the commuting traffic and kids on the way to school: all cities in Spain seem to have good cycling infrastructure but in Pamplona they seemed to be well used. Secondly on my first via verde ( traffic free converted train lines)- I might have complained that some of the surfaces were a bit rough- but that's why I brought the gravel bike, right? Thirdly up and over the hills through beautiful ( and shady) beech forest on a deserted basque road. Descending you could feel a change to more humid maritime atmosphere. Then catching up with another via verde for 30km down the valley and spit me out - voila!- on the coast and the French border. The roads in Spain have generally been brilliant for cycling- quiet/good surfaces/ well graded: I hope France can deliver!!Read more
Traveler following the EuroVelo 1 today- and for the next few days- very well signposted
4/27/23Reply
TravelerWe started our Raid Pyrenees in Hendaye. Nice part of the world and interesting day you’ve had!
4/27/23Reply
TravelerThere must have been serious mountains on the roadways! Managing OK for accommodation? Bill Madden
4/27/23Reply
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Day 21
Friday, April 28, 2023 at 6:17 PM
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 44 m
France Aureilhan 44.217678, -1.19193444°13’4” N 1°11’31” W
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Mimizan
April 28, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Too far today. Partly dictated by weather ( might be raining tomorrow) but also due to accomodation options, I did my longest ride today. Despite being the flatest, it was too far. You know the old joke "why are you riding north to Norway? It's all uphill" that's what it felt like- a slight headwind meant it was a day of uninterrupted effort. After getting through Biarittz- which I thought was pretty cool, Bayonne- lost in an industrial estate, and the oddly named Capbreton( no headland, no hats, not in Brittany) it was then flat endless forests. The velodysee cycle path was easy to follow and nearly all tarmaced and away from traffic- amazing. Though with this came lots of peddling traffic. All very friendly and by the end of the day I was remembering to say "Bonjour"rather than "Hola" to my 2 wheeled friends. An unnecessary detour to Mimizan plage at the end of the day was not what I needed. But the day is done- and a much shorter day tomorrow to look forward toRead more
Traveler Cool zebra crossings for the surfers
4/28/23Reply
Traveler You are in France
4/28/23Reply
SVP, obviously! Sleep well, sounds like you could deserve it J x [Jane Randfield]
4/28/23Reply
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Day 22
Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 10:25 PM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 36 m
France Piraillan 44.70877, -1.23098644°42’32” N 1°13’52” W
Cap Ferret
April 29, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
" easier day today" but somehow still totalled > 90k. Lat night was a slightly strange "chambre d'hote" experience eating with the hosts then listening to the squeaky bed next door- for a long time. It rained overnight but I seemed to have missed the wetness and it was cool , windless and overcast. Stultifyingly flat : 20 m climbing in the first 30k! The biggest mound to overcome was the flan ecossais... The "hills "at the end of the ride were over giant sand dunes and allowed a wee detour "a pied " up the dune de pilat- the highest dunes in Europe. I had 2 hours spare before my ferry from Arcachon so searched out a bike shop to finally get my rear slow puncture fixed. They did an amazing rapid turnaround that max Verstappen would have been pleased with and had everything sorted ( plus a replacement for my nearly offensive thinning cycling shorts) in the 30 mins it took me to track down some grub. A bit of a spin needed to get to the ferry in time now.... and everything then seemed to go wrong. Because of my bike shop detour I no longer had directions to the ferry. Then it started raining. What??! I didn't come here for this! Then it started pouring. Then I couldn't find the ferry and was given erroneous directions. Then it was chucking it down and my phone wouldn't work with a wet screen. But ... I made it.!
By the time I was off the ferry the rain had all but stopped. I had a short ride to the Bois- Laurent's in Piraillon: how wonderful to see them, and in such good health. Olivier and wife and Cecile there too. Fantastic hosts and tuned in to my need for drying/ warming/ cleaning- and a cuppa tea🙂Read more
TravelerStuart wants to know if you paid extra for the audio effects!
4/29/23Reply
TravelerNo, but now have the hosts hassling me for a poor booking.comreview!
4/30/23Reply
TravelerHilarious comments (both)
4/30/23Reply
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Day 23
Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 11:28 PM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 31 m
France Piraillan 44.70866, -1.23112244°42’31” N 1°13’52” W
Cap Ferret
April 30, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Rest day. Didn't touch the bike apart from moving it the shed to get the sun lounger out. Midday trip to Cap Ferret and my most expensive coffee yet- even with a "s'il vous plait" and a "bonjour"..loads of "leisure" cyclists!! That might sound a bit snobby but not meant to- this is the 2 wheeled world we should aspire to! lovely chill time with the Bois-Laurents- joined by Etienne and wife so a full house for a lovely dinner. Best get back en velo tomorrow...Read more
TravelerIt’s funny to see all the French and Italians wrapped up in their hats and down jackets! 😎
5/1/23Reply
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Day 24
Monday, May 1, 2023 at 9:40 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 37 m
France Jonzac Railway Station 45.43985, -0.44159445°26’23” N 0°26’30” W
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jonzac
May 1, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
2 parts to today- the pancake flat medoc- lots of forest and scrub land , making way to vineyards that produce some of the worlds most expensive wine( eg chateau Margaux). Drizzly and cool but never wet or cold. It's a holiday( celebrating end of WWII) and everywhere was deserted- including the boulangeries/ patisserie/ cafes- all replaced by kids selling flowers and plants. Had to put a bit of beef into getting to the ferry on time( what is it about ferry's and me?)so no time to stop even if there had been somewhere..Part 2- on the other side of the decidedly grim brown waters of the Garonne , Blaye seemed somewhat austere , overlooked by its citadel. However one cafe was open , run by a dippy wine soaked South African and his exasperated staff. Despite the cafe going like a fair, he insisted on showing me his winery and talk through his slightly unusual wine making techniques before showing me his amazing collection of wine paraphernalia, old 2cvs a beautiful old Porsche and other bits and bobs. Moving on I found a stray Camino walker(?!) and then somewhere to stay in Jonzac, just round the corner from chez B.Read more
Traveler Not interesting, but efficient
5/1/23Reply
TravelerWas that a Blaye?
5/2/23Reply
TravelerYes, corrected: Blaye.
5/3/23Reply
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