Cycle Tour 6th June - 8th June France

 

Above are screen shots from our Strava of the first three days cycling. Jeff carries the navigation system and I the Strava data app. Working really well. Day 4 tomorrow is a "short day" only 80km? This is because the following day is a climb of 1900m over 122km. Madness I hear you say and you are probably correct! 

Countryside thus far seens basically empty, even the small villages, although granted it is a Bank holiday weekend. DDay celebrations in Ouistreham were a big deal. We crossed a bridge called the Pegasus that three allied gliders landed on in the dead of night with 179 soldiers from the 5th parachute brigade on board. They were able the secure the bridge to then allows the allies to counter attack the Nazis and advance into France in 1944.

Accomodation perfect so far with communal meals with the other cyclists in the group. This year we are not the only Kiwis in a group of Brits. Several Canadians, couple Aussies.

All nice folks. Ratio of men to women 14:4.

Stopped to look at caves and steps to nowhere.

Loire -the longest river in France

Quite a few empty Chateaux but probably used in July/August the French holiday period.

Negioate our way around thses small villages.

This is our hotel in Loches. The van is one of the two the follow us. One with smokos, lunches and breakdown gear. The other with baggage, miscel.laneous. A guide follows us on a cycle as tail end charlie and gather in lost cyclists.