Arrival, Cherbourg

OK so here we go. After last night's sleepless night at The Queens Hotel in Bournemouth, due to an over 60's Tango Weekend at the hotel, it was a rushed start and a very quick 6 mile ride to the ferryBaca lagi
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!Baca lagi
Day 2 - Carentan to Bayeux, 40 miles

After a great French breakfast in the B&B (I'm going to eat a lot of croissants, ham and cheese on this trip!) it was an early start in glorious sunshine to head round the Normandy coast visiting theBaca lagi
Day 3-Bayeux to Mont St Michel, 20 miles

(plus 75 miles by train!)
Slight cheat day today. After relaxed morning in Bayeux the train was boarded after lunch (banana and Nutella crepes are my new favorite thing) for the 2 hour journey toBaca lagi
Day 4-Mont St Michel to St-Malo, 35miles

Part 1
Awoke to another glorious cloudless sky and left early to get to St Malo by lunch. The best ride so far. Completely flat, along the coast and with a slight tail wind which any cyclist willBaca lagi
Day 4 - St-Malo to Le Mans, 20 miles

(plus 150 miles by train)
Part 2
After getting off the train at Le Mans first thing I noticed was jump in temperature. Feeling a lot more summer! Accommodation for the night was a small guesthouseBaca lagi
Day 5 - Le Mans to Tours, 55 miles

Part 1
Awoke to glorious sunshine and a lovely breakfast made by Sara the host at the small guesthouse I stayed in last night. Little did I know what the next 5 hours had in store. The perfect startBaca lagi
Day 5 - Tours to Langeais, 18 miles

Part 2
After another HCB stop sat by the cathedral it was time to change direction and head West taking the Loire Velo route to my bed for the night in Langeais.
Wow what a change to this morningsBaca lagi
Day 6 - Langeais to Angers, 71 miles

Wow what a day. 71 miles along the Loire Valley using the 'La Loire a Velo' cycle route which tracks quiet roads and river paths whilst taking in all the main sights, chateau's and towns. It reallyBaca lagi
Day 7 - Angers to Nantes, 65 miles

From a riding point of view it was a great second day of following the Loire a Velo cycle path. Flat terrain on a mix of tarmac and gravel paths and a few bridge crossings it was nice and relaxed butBaca lagi
Day 8 - Nantes

First day off the bike so after nice little lie in it was time for a wander round Nantes. Nice city with an impressive Chateau and large cathedral (which is stunning inside and well worth a visit).Baca lagi
Day 9 - Nantes to Pornic, 52 miles

After last night's festivities it was a bit of a slow start with plenty of coffee with breakfast. It was also time to say goodbye to the German as he carried on his 6 month adventure by heading North.Baca lagi
Day 10 - Pornic to La Rochelle (train)

Made the tough decision this morning to not ride for a few days because of the issues I've had with my knee. Very frustrating as can still ride but know I'm making it worse and with over 8 weeks stillBaca lagi
Day 11 - La Rochelle

With no riding today it was time to see what La Rochelle had to offer. With the weather still being grey and cold with the locals still wearing big coats and scarfs it was time to find some indoorBaca lagi
Day 12 - La Rochelle-Bordeaux-Biarritz

Following the decision to have a few days off the bike I thought I'd get south quick then spend a few days riding back up the coast before heading into the Pyrenees next week.
After leaving LaBaca lagi
Day 13 - Biarritz

The sun was out so it was up early to have breakfast on the beach and a wander around. Still pretty chilly with the winds from the north but in true English style it was time for a t-shirt and flipBaca lagi
Day 14 - Biarritz to San Sebastian

There is only just over 30 miles between Biarritz and San Sebastian but the first thing that strikes you is the difference in culture especially the bars, restaurant's and biggest of all the food.Baca lagi
Day 15 - San Sebastian

What a difference a day makes. Cold, wet and very windy. Only good thing was the strong winds meant the heavy showers came and left pretty quick.
I'd managed to pick up a ticket to watch RealBaca lagi
Day 16-San Sebastian-Biarritz, 35 miles

Feels great to be back on the bike and what a ride! 35 miles along a rocky coastline, two countries, countless beaches and seaside towns, a fair few climbs and some great descents.
The reverse ofBaca lagi
Day 17 - Biarritz to Lourdes, 36 miles

Time to leave the coast behind and head in land and to the Pyrenees. Following the advice of a fellow cyclist the day started with a nice 10 mile ride along the coast to Bayonne where I caught theBaca lagi
Day 18 - Lourdes to Argeles Gazost, 11m

After yesterdays emotional day today was a bit of a rest and relax day. A short easy 11 mile ride along the valley to Argeles-Gazost where I will be basing myself for a couple of days to tackle a fewBaca lagi
Day 19 - Argeles-Gazost, 43 miles

Wow what a day and the kind of day I could only dream of when planning this trip. Some of the most incredible scenery I've ever seen let alone riden alongside and all under perfectly blue sky.
TheBaca lagi
Day 19 - Part 2 of photos

Day 20 - Argeles-Gazost, 29 miles

I wasn't sure what to do today but after waking up and opening the shutters to another perfectly blue sky it had to be another day riding in the Pyrenees.
Fully fuelled after breakfast I decided toBaca lagi
Day 21 - AG to Toulouse, 41 miles

After 3 amazing days in the mountains it was time to say goodbye and start moving towards the Med. The day started well with the short ride to Lourdes then a 2 hour train to Toulouse and a few hoursBaca lagi
Did you not want to join in the Tango!?