Day 1 - Cherbourg to Carentan, 39 miles

After being told that Normandy was flat I was looking forward to a gentle start to the trip. So I was slightly surprised to roll off the ferry and be greeted by a huge hill surrounding Cherbourg! After two wrong turns and a quick jump off and push after hitting a hill I physical couldn't ride up all in the first 5 miles it wasn't the start I was looking for. Still the sun was out and there were 10 weeks and 3,000 miles in front of me!

The ride did improve very quickly and the initial steep climb turned into glorious rolling countryside, no traffic and small village after small village. My first stop was at Sainte-Mere-Eglise. Two reasons for the stop - One the first stage of 'LeTour' travels through and to say the roads are smooth on the route is an understatement. Two it is home to the US Airborne Museum and for anyone who has watched Band of Brothers you'll know what I'm talking about. The 82nd Us Airborne division landed here during D-Day including one guy who got caught on the cathedral and spent 2 hours playing dead not to get shot.

After the quick museum visit it was into my accommodation in Carentan. A little B&B run by lovely couple who could have not been more helpful and welcoming. They even did my room out fit for a Princess like I asked!!

All in all great first day.Read more