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Final Stage
2nd June
Morning spent in busy SETE; working French port, market, old fishing quarter. Leisurely time spent navigating inland lagoons on SETE MONTPELLIER cycle paths; quite beacharea. Roll into MONTPELLIER very busy; vibrant centre, music festival in flow, a real young peoples place. Hostel in state of restoration; so short spell of sightseeing,very agreeable menu du jour.
The final km total: 1236, to St ROCH stsation. Comfortable TGV to Paris..... and rain!!! Final leg to Le Harve having crossed Prais on Metro; sunny evening to set up on our way home.
A wonderful experience on the bike; no question, the best way to see France off the beaten track.
1st July
Enjoyed rustic gite La CAVALERIE; madam very pleasant; simple breakfast; bread, home made jam. Continuing across plateau to La CAYLAR; dropped into spectacular gorge before reaching LODEVE. L' HERAULT valley; now noticeably hotter 38 degrees; lunch in shade, then slow progress into headwind, 20km from SETE: Lifesaver cafe as we down litres of water and arrange rendezvous with Ron's family. Hot and dehydrated , eventually find our hostel at top of 1:3 hill. We can see the Med!!!
30th June
Early hostel breakfast followed by gentle uphill valley route from RODEZ across centra lAVEYRON.
Stunning scenery as we drop into MILLAU;les grands causses. Lunch by town fountain,10km climb out of MILLAU much talked about but in the end manageable: breathtaking valley views. Emerging on to plateau Du LARZAC almost unreal: Dartmoor -like in appearance, deserted. Our time at gite rounded off in convivial fashion with visit from Ron's family, not to be missed.
29th June
Overcast leaving BEALIEU but not for long. Steady progress to St CERE followed by a 6km climb. Undulating country as we cross from Dordogne valleys to AVEYRON FIGEAC for lunch.Our biggest climbing dat so far, Ron handling it masterfully as always; thunder rumbling in South. Reach RODEZ, at 6pm tired and dusty; hostel in suburbs, supported by simple pizzeria. Making coffee at hostel an experience, details of which Ron will relate with amusement at Uffculm!
Undulating country as we cross from Dordogne valleys to AVEYRON; then FIGEAC for lunch.
28th June
45km to BEAULIEU on river DORDOGNE: idyllic spot,ancient buildings,hostel 15c. But we still need to test our climbing legs so 30km circuit into hills after lunch.
Ron glad of freedom from panniers and a chance to wind up the pace through the wooded slopes. All followed by iced water and our favourite coconut macaroons sitting by river, stormy evening. Our BEAULIEU host leaving us enthusiastic for the benefits of traditional hospitality.
27th June
The DORDOGNE 785km on the clock now and our terrain is changing. Early start as we enter different terrain: deserted, tree lined roads SW LIMOGES, gentle hills.
Coffee at medieval St YRIEUX: on to lovely SEGUR Le CHATEAU: long picnics in mind, keep climbing....
French Sunday routine catches us by surprise:cafes all shut at JUILLAC, so no water. Rescued by auberge before entering BRIVE: cold water and coke just nectar. Surprisingly club riders en velo for Sunday am, but we have honned our gesture and bonjour.
Enjoying French way of life off the tourist trails: banter, handshakes with village locals. See last of England's in pm heat, and check in at town hostel, very clean and friendly.
26th June
Our rest day, but these even entail spinning the legs: off to local market ROCHECHOUART.
A bi'entot.
25th June
634Km done From the open fields,CHATELLERAULT to CHAUVIGNY, along river VIENNE, peaceful.
Ron finding his racing wheels as we try to chase down 2 Randonneurs in in the heat....... but not quiet.
Arrived at CONFOLENS late afternoon, our first jambon in bread. Rolling LIMOUSIN lanes to St JUNIEN. Now west of LIMOGES, hostel basic but life always improves after aperatif and menu du jour...
We arrived on French soil Monday 20th June in Le Havre at 14.30hrs, we mounted our bikes for the start of our epic journey across France to the Mediterranean some 1000km in front of us.
24th June
Making good progress through central France as temperature rises: 448 km so far, long flat stretches through forest to SAUMUR,and then the wide expanse LOIRE: on our way south 31 degrees at FONTEVRAUD for baguette in company of local cyclist from Tours.
Becoming past masters at drying damp cycle clothing on the move.....Through the lanes to RICHELIEU, truly the garden of France. Lovely town square at RICHELIEU.
23rd June
Good progress south with rolling Sarthe fields and straight roads, 60KM to cafe stop. Suncream aplenty.
22nd June
A few snippets from N France, all set for crossing the Loire tomorrow with a sunny start for ALENCON. Lovely quite Normandy countryside, a valley road to GACE,the temperature is very pleasant, cafe stop to practice our Language......improving! Motor cyclist from Manchester chatting about plans, quite lanes through to ESSAY, passed a local cycle tour group, having a snack lunch before rolling into ALENCON, stop at ST LEONARD De B on the SARTHE river. staying at a delightful gite bustling with local activity, ALPES MANCELLES , a lovely corner south of Alencon. KM under estimated, but gentle terrain.
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