Heading West

From Auxerre there is an important choice. Head either clockwise or anticlockwise around Paris on route to the Channel. After much hesitation the choice is made. I will head west.

The relatively rubbish weather is continuing. It ranges from heavily grey and threatening to raining. Still I am dry more than wet. Lucky me. The terrain is now relatively flat so its not too exhausting.

I ride out of Auxerre through woods and fields. Its extremely quiet. I pass occasional low key chateaus and that is about it. Alain has spotted a small auberge on route and l arrive early and only modestly wet. It chucks it down until just before sunset. And it’s raining once more in the morning (though not for long).

Today I join the canal du Briare at Rogny les 7 écluses. 7 disused locks that enabled a connection from the Loire to the Seine over a hill - sadly it used too much water to be sustainable. Eventually a more round about canal route was built. The canal heads towards the Loire before crossing above the river over a sturdy bridge and then joining another canal on the far side of the Loire. I get to cycle across the canal bridge!

The Loire is huge and looking relatively full. The embankments (used at times by my cycle route) are high and a long way from the river. So much so that a fair bit of the time the river is not even visible. I pass various charming villages and buildings and my day ends at the Chateau of Sully sur Loire. By which time, guess what?, its raining once more.Read more