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

At last some sunshine and warmth! The day started bright and cool and gradually became bright and warm. From the campsite the route was convoluted to say the least. At one point I cycled a full kilometre down the canal only to reach a bridge and cycle back on the opposite side! Necessary, but it … Continue reading La Velodyssee- Day 6

The morning started with the church bells at 7.00 am! The campsite was approximately 600 meters from the church...an oversight on my part! Easy like Sunday Morning! Regardless I bravely slept on for another 90 minutes before I ventured to the exterior of the tent. The weather was cool but not cold, damp but not … Continue reading La Velodyssee – Day 5

Today was the morning when Nicola had to go back home. She was driving from campsite to campsite and meeting me for lunch for the first 3 days riding...aswell as cooking the dinner and breakfast! So it’s a solo run from here! Medieval Josselin Day 4 started cold, windy but bright, and fortunately the wind … Continue reading La Velodyssee- Day 4

Today was largely about water, the rain and the canal. The route followed the ‘Canal Brest a Nantes’ which, not surprisingly, runs between the port towns of Brest and Nantes. The canal was completed in 1836 and is 385 kilometres in length. It is still open and the section I followed today looks mostly navigable … Continue reading La Velodyssee – Day 2