Forges-les-Eaux to Le Touquet

It was an early breakfast at 6:30am, normal French fare, but it keeps us going. Left just after 7am with overcast skies, but Dave the new weatherman assured us everything will be fine.

Just an easy peasy jaunt to Le Touquet, around 85 miles, walk in the park. To be perfectly honest, we just rolled it in, nothing serious. Within no time we had done nearly 35 miles, stopped for a coffee and pain au chocolat, without the pain au chocolat, think the guy just forgot them, no issues just had two coffees – all good.

Just taking it easy as we are heading for the “seaside” nice an easy riding three abreast down the little lanes, then on the cycle paths just by the sea-front. Nice riding, tried to pull over for lunch, got the priorities right in the 1st place ordered the beer, then they said no food today. Obviously had to finish the beer before we moved on. Found another place around 4 miles away, cycled there, only to find out we had missed the 2pm watershed, liquid lunch it is then – no dramas.

Then just cruised to the outskirts of Le Touquet, Bingo had booked an AirBnB – very easy day today, but nice and pleasant. Dave was true to his word as the sun finally came out – nice.

Kobi News

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Dreux to Forges-les-Eaux

Well it rained last night, the first time since we left Calais nearly three weeks ago. It was quite pleasant setting off just before 7am, with the damp cool breeze on our backs.

As normal we had a bit of trouble getting out of town, before we got on a cycle path along an old railway line, absolutely amazing track twisting through the small towns and villages, we stayed on there for 20 miles or so, loved it.

Heading for the picturesque Town of Veron on the banks of the river Seine, stopped for coffee and breakfast in the bustling square, rode through the town then over the river Seine, past a glorious château, then out in the rolling countryside.

Big Dave is meeting us today, with a bit of texting and pindrops we have a arranged a meeting point at some posh restaurant in Auberge de la Forêt in Morgny.

Nothing but the best, Dave one hell of an effort to join us mate, true legend and great to ride to with you – respect.

Not sure what they eat, some pâté then guinea fowl as part of the set meal – salad and cheese board for me, all well sorted and even washed down with a local IPA and cider, all good.

Let’s get these guns rocking, great riding through the forest and twisty turning lanes, pure pleasure. One other thing – Dave did bring a bag full of rain, actually it was quite pleasant riding in small showers.

With about 10 miles to go, the ever vigilant captain spotted a rugby club, Forges-les-Eaux, funny that I struggle to see signs, bumps in the road etc, but my mind works in mysterious ways, if there is a rugby club there is bound to be a pub.

Well sure as eggs there was a welcoming bar, enough said, we stopped for some well earned refreshments.

Then the heavens opened, rain coming down like stair rods, the Captain made the important call, ‘rain stops play!’.

Bingo quick as a flash books a pension less than 3 minutes away, as always everything planned in the finest detail.

Back at the digs, shower, wash the kit, plan tomorrow’s route, only 120 miles to go! and wake Dave up.

We are nearly there, will give an update on our ETA in Sunshine Corner when we know the ferry times.

Kobi News

Once again thanks for all your fabulous support. Kobi, I think I may need to disinfect my cycling top before I pass it on to you, it’s yours mate.

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Vendôme to Dreux

For the first time in living memory we had a lay in today, well got up at 7am all in fluster – just relax.

Had breakfast and just rolled out heading for Chartres and then beyond. Not quite sure of the final destination tonight – ‘just let it roll bab’y, a line from a Door’s track, that they played last night. Unfortunately it was not the place to rip it up (and I did not have Eric with me!).

We had a lovely downhill stretch to get these puppies rolling and we we are off. Loving the road bikes just gliding along. Obviously we had a few off-road sections but nothing serious, just bit of sand and pebbles.

With the wind on our backs the stunning towers of Chartres Cathedral came into view, very nice city, stopped for a drink and a bit to eat and a chat about where we head to for now – decided on Dreux.

Bingo booked the digs, before we set off again, with only another 30ish miles and a nice tail wind it only took just over an hour and half. Nice to finish riding relatively early for a change. Had customary finishing drinks, then just took our time, before we set out for an evening meal.

Not the most pretty of towns, had a beer in the roughest cafe in town, for no reason other than we did. Then made our way to a buffet restaurant – nothing special just lots of pasta.

Another 90 odd miles done.

Kobi News

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far – it’s been a brilliant effort. Thinking of you Kobi! Onwards and upwards.

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Poitiers-Futuroscope to Vendôme

Two key birthdays today:

Many happy returns to my sister Joanne on her 50th birthday have a lovely day.

Dale & Keith

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law Tim, have a great day and all the very best for your upcoming retirement may it be long and enjoyable.

Dale & Keith

Back into riding mode now, with an early breakfast and on the road just after 7am with a hearty breakfast – just like the condemned men! One last wish; a fair wind and strong legs.

Always the strong legs, the wind is turning in our favour, as we burn the early miles off with ease. We are flying hey ho here we go. As we turned into the forest I just had a feeling the good road surface would not last- it soon turned to soft sand, great for horses, as we went through a beautiful farm and stables. We got a very strange look from a couple out riding, we asked how long the track was, bit difficult with my pigeon French, but think they said 3km. Managed to finally get back on the road and get back to normal speed.

We stopped in Saint-Maure-de-Tourain for a drink, before speeding off and heading for Tours. It’s a pretty big town so decided to get through it and have lunch on the exit, once we had got through the town, fair play to Bingo he led the way, weaving in an out of the traffic, me just following, not knowing where we are going, just about keeping on his tail.

It was a relief getting out of the town, especially when the temperature was touching 42 degrees, so hot it’s only when you stop you realise how hot it is.

A bit short of photos today so here’s some of a canoe trip on the Loire with me & Kristine and Steve & Coral

ED

And here’s some of me, Keith and Linford on the Loire another time

Ed

Kobi News

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far – it’s been a brilliant effort. Thinking of you Kobi! Onwards and upwards.

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Angoulême to Poitiers-Futuroscope

So after the tribulations of yesterday it was a pretty straight forward ride today, Angoulême to Poitiers, about 85 miles.

We left early again to get cracking in some miles before it gets hot; forecast is today and tomorrow are going to be the hottest. Never mind its nice and cool in the morning winding through the vineyards on the little farm tracks makes for some great riding. Soon the vineyards are replaced with sunflowers and sweetcorn, sure them sunflowers just keep grinning at us and saying “what you doing”, also always think of one of ourex drivers ‘Jamie’ – great bloke and terffic company, you went too early mate, always loved the sunflowers and of course McDonald’s. Not sure what goes through my head half the time, but makes the miles tick away.

Bingo increased the pace unbeknown to me he as could see a service station ahead, so on we rolled for breakfast, 30 miles – good going. Little discussion on the route, rumours afloat we may have another guy joining us?

He is saying get to xxxxx by Wednesday and I will join you, Bingo says ‘do you know how far that is?’.

Still on the back roads winding and twisting though the French countryside. We came across another closed road, with a diversion sign – no problem skipped passed the barriers and carried on; it’s some sort of car rallycross event taking place, seems we are on the track! Guy comes up to us and says we have to go back, Bingo says no, in the end the guy let’s us through and gives us directions – top man.

It’s a very fast road into Poitiers, with the plan to get to the digs on the north side of town.

Stopped for refreshments – unfortunately I upset an American couple, who allegedly had been waiting for drinks for an age. I went straight to the bar – waiter was over like a flash with our drinks, while the American guy was moaning and gesticulating to the waiter, who just ignored them and carried on talking with us. They eventually just got up and went, the waiter shrugged his shoulders and laughed

Bingo sorted out digs with a swimming-pool, top man, next to the Futuroscope theme park, full of school kids – but not an issue. They stayed up later than us!

Kobi News

A massive thanks from all the team for the contributions so far. Thinking of you Kobi! Onwards and upwards.

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Courant de Mimizan to Angoulême

Woke up in the Pension pretty early after a good night’s sleep. Bingo opens up the French doors and says ‘lovely smell’, someone burning pine, think that might be the forest fires I say.

Sure enough there were smoke clouds and an eery feel to the atmosphere. But in true ‘nothing can go wrong’ fashion off we went, heading North West, basically straight for one of the big fires, on we pushed. Even passed a couple of touring bikes going the other way, they tried to tell us something, but Aylesham boys know better, well sometimes they do.

After around 20 miles we came across the 1st sign and the cycle lane closed off, little chat get on the road and carry on. Against a steady stream of tourist traffic going the other way. We stopped for a pan-de-choc, coffee and soft drink, then it suddenly dawned on us, we are in the middle of 2 massive fires, going North was not an option, the way ahead was East, then see if we could go North. Finally came to the conclusion that we either get off the bikes voluntaryily or be ordered off. Never seen so many fire engines on the road.

We carried on then Bingo spotted an SNCF railway station, let’s give it a go, bloke on the station was brilliant, he said bikes go free, but trains are delayed due to forest fires and heat.

So folks that’s the ride over for today, 35miles that’s all and 15 of them in the wrong direction! Needs must, train it is then.

Respect for all the Firefighters and emergency services putting their lives at risk, we are only a couple of old gits on a bike.

Replan then set off again.

[They took the train to Bordeaux and after some refreshments another train to Angoulême to spend the night. They’ll resume riding tomorrow – Ed]

Kobi News

In more uplifting news the collection smashed through £6000 barrier. Massive thanks from all the team for the contributions so far. Thinking of you Kobi! Onwards and upwards.

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Moulin de Candaloup to Courant de Mimizan

A sad day today as two funerals, so our thoughts go out to the friends and families of:

Leonard Mark Gash (Mark)

My cousin on my Mum’s side, left us so so early – RIP Mark, I did wear green today, and Bingo’s kit is going green as its the only kit he has worn all tour.

Vale, Dale & Keith

Keith ( Bomber) Thomas

One of my football mentors in my teenage days, playing for Barham at 16, Bomber was inspirational in encouraging the youngsters to play sport, and more importantly kept this up with his youth club work.

Total respect mate

RIP Dale & Keith

Had a tinge of sadness as we left today, for the aforementioned tributes above. So not so many words today, reflection in how lucky we all are, with our health and well-being.

Well that all went pear shaped after 90 mins of burning up the miles getting my head right, came up to a bridge under repair, can assure you that does not normally put us off. But the shored up sides of the 20ft gap did.

So a little diversion, nothing my turrets can’t handle, amazing how a few swear words seem to get over everything (sorry Mum, “if you can’t express your self correctly, do not say anything” )!

Mate we seemed to be heading back to the Pyrenees will all the climbs, Bingo has looked after me for far too long, he just leaves me to it, then hey ho I am back in the game, as if nothing has happened.

We did have an early stop but I was still in my temper tantrum mode so have no idea where it was.

We pulled into a Garage just before Dax, had a soft drink, then pushed on, feeling better and legs working, had a great 25 section pulling and working together, with the added goal of proper refreshments.

Loving these French set courses, including a carafe of red wine, sets you up a treat. Off we went again, heading to the Atlantic coast, through the forest cycle tracks, last 20 mile was a pleasure with no cars and very few other cyclists.

We arrived in the resort town of Minizan had the normal photo with the Atlantic in the background.

Barcelona (Mediterranean) to Atlantic coast via the Pyrenees in five days, good going. So had a few celebration drinks, before finally setting off to find our digs.

95 miles – bit tough at first then very enjoyable riding.

Kobi News

Still hoping to get over the £6000. Massive thanks from all the team for the contributions so far. Thinking of you Kobi!

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