The reason for pushing hard to get to Capbreton was so that I would have a couple of easy days to finish. Unfortunately it didn’t actually turn out that way...both days were shorter but I’d failed to take into account the difference in the terrain once past Bayone! I could see the foothills of the … Continue reading La Velodyssee- Day 18 and Day 19

A hard day on Day 16 so no post on the day. I decided to do a multi-day post instead. The hero of Day 16 was Ian Fox (pronounced Yan). It sounds like an English name but he is, in fact, Breton. He is the owner of Fox Cycles in Arcachon. I rode up from … Continue reading La Velodyssee – Day 16 and 17

At some point today I crossed the 1000 kilometres point of this ride. It was early on as the total is 1098 kilometres so far. I covered 102 kilometres today which is my furthest one day distance during the tour. It didn’t look like I would do any kilometres today. The rain was extremely heavy … Continue reading La Velodyssee – Day 15

Up and out by 9:45 after a nice meal and a good sleep to catch the ferry. I had no idea of the ferry times or exactly how I went about getting a ticket. As I rode towards the port I could see the ferry heading there too! I needed to get on that one … Continue reading La Velodyssee – Day 14

The cool northerly wind made it a very cold night. The temperature fell to 2 Celsius! I was OK in the tent but didn’t get out of the sleeping bag in a hurry this morning! Once I did get up there was no sitting around as it was much to cold! I actually packed up … Continue reading La Velodyssee – Day 13

After a thoroughly relaxing rest day it was a slow start on Sunday. Nic dropped me back at around 12:30 pm so by the time I was sorted it was after 1:00 pm. An easy ride on a nice route to the fabulous La Rochelle. The old harbour La Rochelle I didn’t stop for too … Continue reading La Velodyssee – Day 12

Some overnight rain in La Tranche sur Mer made it a slow start in the morning. I was motivated by the thought of my first rest day on Day 11! Nic was going to drive to a town just outside La Rochelle to pick me up. I would have 2 nights and a full day … Continue reading La Velodyssee- Day 10

An early start after a good nights sleep was the order of the day. Around 100 kilometres to cover to reach La Tranche sur Mer today! The ride felt much easier today as the North Westerly that I’ve had since Day 1 was a bit stronger so the distance clocked up more quickly than expected. … Continue reading La Velodyssee- Day 9

I’m beginning to think my tent is too big. I have met (and seen the tents) of 2 other touring cyclists and, to be honest, each of their tents could fit in mine at least 3 times! Pascale’s tent is a case in point. Pascale’s Tent I accept it is hard to make a comparison … Continue reading La Velodyssee- Day 8

A day of change on La Velodyssee. The route took me west on the southern side of the river as far as it can to the Atlantic then turned to the south along the coast. The flat lands of the Loire estuary gave way to the more rugged Atlantic Coast Route. But not before the … Continue reading La Velodyssee- Day 7