I took the first few miles through Nantes very slowly today as I knew I didn’t have many miles to do in total. As I got near the river and had to cross over a couple of bridges I went past a big battle ship docked in the river. Also the other side of the bridge I came across the worlds biggest Elephant! I have googled it and it happens to be from the Machines of the isle of Nantes, basically there is a little Island in the middle of Nantes and this Elephant was built to promote Nantes as a place that deals with fantasy. The Elephant can carry 49 passengers on a 45 tour of the city. Pretty impressive if you ask me. As I was leaving they were making it spit water out of its trunk!

I found another field of sunflowers! I didn’t let you down this time and stopped to take a snap. Prizes for the closest guess!? That was only half the field though, I couldn’t get far enough away to get the whole lot in.

I’ve just been to my savior of a shop again Decathlon, picked up some more handlebar tape and wrapped that around to maybe try and help my hand out a bit more.

Looks like I’m going to have to settle for the golden arches tonight, there isn’t much this place has to offer in the means of restaurants. Big mac meal and some nuggets it is then.

Just been trying to upload another video of today’s ride, but it wasn’t sunny enough to capture the roads that were in the shadows. So its not being put up. Hopefully some nice weather tomorrow and ill put a little 10 mile video up then.

I’m going to be up early tomorrow and on my way, want to have a big rest up in La Rochelle as have Friday off. Before a big 13 days on the trot until my next rest!

Pigeon is added to the list of road kill!

Today’s journey was 44.7 miles, riding time of 3:19, max speed 27.5 mph, avg speed 13.47 mph, 2538 calories, 3 litres so far.

Evening all. Not a lot to report on today I’m afraid. Well which is good in a way for me as it means there’s been no problems or hiccups! But as for reading up on how I’m getting on, today hasn’t been as eventful as the start of the trip. Popped into the supermarket this morning to pick up lunch, then set off at around half 10. Nice casual ride for the first 29 miles until I fancies some lunch. Found my way through a mixture of google maps route and the sat nav. Used the sat nav to get me into the center of town and find the hotel. Just met a bunch of young lads from Bath who are staying in the rooms next door to mine, they have been riding back up to St Malo from La Rochelle, but only done 4 days riding and they then got on the train today. Chatted to them about what the ride is like down to La Rochelle, the said it was very scenic.

I’ve seen some lovely scenes today though myself, none that were good enough to make the cut for the blog but I’m feeling like there could be tomorrow! So hold out for that.
However I would like to add that the weather today has been amazing! Not a cloud in the sky, lets hope that’s with me till the end now, fingers crossed.

When I got here, which was pretty early, guess about 2:30. I showered and changed and jumped back on the bike and headed to my savior of a shop Decathlon. Here I picked up some spare chain links just in case mine decides to pop out again.

Seeing as this is going to be a pretty short update, I thought id take the chance to show you all the extent of the damage to my left hand. The pic shows me trying to bring all my fingers together. They should both look like the hand on the right. I just hope this isn’t a long term thing? Any doctors out there got any advice?

Today’s journey was 46.36 miles, riding time of 3:36:30, max speed 31.1 mph, avg speed 12.85 mph, 2693 calories, 3.5 litres so far.

Had some dinner at the Wood Cafe earlier, there wasn’t much choice as it was the only place around, literally! Luckily they had an English Menu so as you can see I opted for the mixed grill equivalent. Had a slab of Ostrich, some Bison, a spicy sausage and a rib. Went down a right treat! Off to Rennes in the morning, just a little 50 mile ride, so gonna take it nice and easy.

At one point today I didn’t think there would be much to tell you about. I couldn’t have been more wrong if I had tried. 10 miles into the ride, I’m going at the slowest pace I think I have been all week. My saddle sores are wanting me to stop, my knee is wanting me to stop and looking on the horizon and seeing hill after hill, even I wanted to stop. My knee was the bigger problem, It has a sharp shooting pain right on the kneecap with every downward push. And this is only 10 miles in. Anyway i decide to stop at the top of one of bigger climbs I did, and to prove how up and down today was, I’ve added the graph of elevation that the sat nav produces. Look at the section with a 40 minute climb!
So after lunch I get going and start to forget about most of the problems that effected the start. These hills by the way were continuous for miles, straight up and down like a roller-coaster but without the cogs pulling you up the inclines!

Everything seemed to be going ok, when all of a sudden I go to change gear (yes another hill was approaching) and my chain breaks! Now I got told before I came away to pick up a couple of spare chain links. I was going to until someone told me that a decent chain has at least 10,000 miles life span. How I wish I hadn’t listened to them! I didn’t panic at first as didn’t know how big a problem it could be. I realised it was the chain link that was missing. I walk back down the road as I had only coasted 10 yards, and like looking for a needle in a haystack I find not one half but both halves of the chain link! I snap them back in place and off I go again. I did however make a quick call to Tony again, as I wanted to know if this should happen and whether you do just snap it shut again. He said I wouldn’t have been able to carry on if I hadn’t of found the links! You might all think that’s being a bit over the top, but its true, a chain is useless without this link. So I decided to take it steady for the rest of the day.

Also noticed today that only a few of the French cyclists going in the opposite direction say hello. Some don’t even acknowledge the fact that your there! Very rude!

Not many interesting photos today, I’ve taken this photo of the corn field as every time I ride past one I think of the scene in Jurassic Park when the Veloceraptors chase the people through them. Anyway just thought id share that with you. And the pic of the sign to Avranches doesn’t truly do the hill any justice, you’ll have to trust me on the fact is was very very long!

Today’s journey was 76.2 miles, riding time of 6:34:26, max speed 35.4 mph, avg speed 11.6 mph, 4298 calories, 3.65 litres so far.

Evening, although I doubt many of you will be checking up on me tonight seeing as it is a Saturday. But for me its just another day in the saddle. Checked the weather last night and it said it was going to be overcast but windy. They also said that it wasn’t going to be just a breeze but 13mph winds. Which just so happened to be in my face pretty much the whole way. Set off at 9, which is my earliest leave so far this trip (hoping to beat that tomorrow), and had to stop within the first mile or so to take this picture of these two towers painted to look like waterfalls. These towers are everywhere in the countryside and I’m not sure what they are for, so if you know then feel free to share the knowledge.
After a couple of hours riding a convoy of cars went past, and being as you get to see many a car go past you often look out for the English ones. Today there was 4 in a row and all with number plates of H14GUE, and H16GUE. Now as I don’t have much to occupy my mind during the day I’ve had it down that William Hague is over in France on business or something.

Then had to stop to go to the loo, don’t worry it wasn’t what your all thinking! So as most of you cyclists know, you just stay on the bike and pull over by the side of the road. Made the silly mistake today of not watching where I was going, yep you guessed it, all on my handle bars, lucky enough it was on the drop bars!

Nearly made the mistake of not stopping at a supermarket to pick up a sardine for lunch, I pulled over but couldn’t find anywhere to lock my bike up, so I set off again, and one thing you always think about for the next mile or so is “should I have stopped”, but then at the top of the hill was an old petrol garage not in use anymore, but a couple selling sandwiches. A French family pulled in behind me and then the dad of the family came over and started checking out the wheels, so I used all the lingo I could and told him all what I was doing. They said they were in fact also going to La Roche Sur-Yon and asked if I wanted a lift!

I need to add a couple of Animals to the road kill stats, today I saw a hedgehog, and I also saw what I think was a ferret. But then again if dad was here he would probably say it was a stoat!

Also there isn’t a better feeling than when you pull up at the destination for the day, know that all the hard work was worth it!

I thought i should include some photos of me today just so that you know that I am in fact here and not just making all this up!

Today’s journey was 80.4 miles, riding time of 6:14:24, max speed 33.41 mph, avg speed 12.88 mph, 4567 calories, 2.15 litres so far.

Today has been a good day, I do feel like I could have got here a bit quicker, but hopefully, with tomorrow being a few less miles, I might get to Avranches ahead of schedule.

Had to take a snap of this place, was walking down the road on my way to get myself a pizza, and I stumbled across this little establishment. So thought why not! The place was rammed! Treated myself to a chicken burger (I pronounced it Fillet de Poulet) the woman behind the counter looked at me all puzzled so I just said chicken burger please. See even when I do try and talk the lingo I still struggle. Oh and also through half a dozen nuggets on top for good measure. Now just watching a film UP, with 2 chocolate deserts, some chocolate milk and nachos! Remember to all keep a look out for me over the weekend, as I’m looking to put about 150 miles in.

Well what a difference a day makes. I have enjoyed everything about today, I knew that I only had 40 miles to ride so I decided to have a little lay in, go to the supermarket and the sports shop and pick up some supplies, as you can see from the pic, I’m taking no chances now and I picked up 4 more spare tubes and another spare folding tyre!

I have been a little concerned with my left hand though, last night it felt numb all down the side of my little finger, and hasn’t improved any today. Hoping that longer rest off the bike today and tonight might help me out. Apart from that and a slightly tight left hamstring, all is well.

I decided to not even bother with the sat nav today, had it on to record my stats, but seeing as it was only 2 or 3 main roads from Dieppe to Rouen I thought ill try and navigate using what I had printed out as a back up originally. This worked out fine and I only switched sat nav on to guide me to the hotel for the last 2 miles.

For the majority of today’s ride I’ve had the B.o.B song Aeroplanes stuck in my head! Just couldn’t get it out, so glad to have made it to the hotel and get some other music on. Actually I’ve now got it stuck in my head again!

Also rode past this cool place that had Bison’s, they had a load of tutu’s up and a little restaurant up in the hills, worth a pic anyway.

When I arrived in Rouen as you can see below, there’s some funky art work placed across a bridge. Don’t know what its for but thought it was worth a snap. Also I decided to film the last few miles on my phone and have uploaded the video below swell.

Also I would like to thank the Frenchman from yesterday that bought me the sarnie, it was soo nice I went out and bought another for lunch today!

A few things i haven’t mentioned yet so far on my ride, I’ve seen a fair few different types of road kill, don’t worry I haven’t taken snaps, but by road kill I mean fully intact still, so a fresh hit. So far on my list I have a Squirrel, a Seagull, a Rabbit and a Rat. Wonder what else the French countryside has to offer.

Another thing I find quite strange is just how far the cars and lorries move out the way when over taking a bike! Today this one car was fully on the other side of the road. But then yesterday I did get a couple of idiots go past me at a stupid speed and ridiculously close!

One other thing I have been doing since I started this bike ride, think I started it in the hills on my way to Dover, If I see an animal then I make the noise of it out loud. Like today I made a whole herd of cows look up and move away from the fence, might not sound like the highlight of your day, but when its just you and a bike you’ll think of all sorts to keep you company.

Oh and I dropped a jelly bean today! First one dropped! 😦

Today’s journey was 41.33 miles, riding time of 3:23:49, max speed 29.9 mph, avg speed 12.1, 2331 calories, 2.65 litres so far.

Now going to rest up for a bit, pop out and find a supermarket, get some dinner inside me, and might even watch a film later. Early start tomorrow…

Timelapse into Rouen

 

Firstly I set off in search for some breaky and snacks for along the way. picked up a few croissants and a pan au chocolat. One thing I did however forget to mention yesterday was that the tyre pressure in my rear tyre had dropped a lot when I went to get back on the bike after the ferry ride. This was again the case this morning when I woke up. I took the decision to go for it and see what happens. By the time I went down the first hill it had gone flat again, so I pulled over and set about changing tubes, went with the fixed one from yesterday and it popped again soon as I put air back into it. About 30 minutes later I decided to try and give my spare tyre a go. This did exactly the same thing, popped the tube when I started pumping. So anyway I eventually get things sorted after about an hour or so mucking about with it all. Although the longer this went on I had doubts I would make it the whole way to Dieppe before sunset! I even thought about getting a taxi back into Boulogne to go to a bike shop and get help. After a few more miles the pressure dropped again. I pulled over yet again. After sitting there looking at 3 tubes and all my gear scattered everywhere I didn’t know what to do. I phoned home to speak to Tony (serviced my bike) he thought it might be how i was putting the tyre back on the rim. By the way before I phoned him, I was almost brought to tears, thoughts racing my head that I wouldn’t be able to even finish the whole thing!

I am pleased to tell you all that after the final time on this stop and pumping the bad boy up, it got me through the next 84 miles all the way to Dieppe. Phew! Pic of the new lime green tyre is below!

The journey today was meant to be only 80 miles by my route planner, but sat nav said 98 to start with, so a hard day in the saddle, then I decided to go as the crow flies at the end to knock 7 miles off the trip, I really don’t understand this sat nav!

So today I have encountered my first french cockerel singing away, I rode past a circus in some small town, didn’t take pictures as I only had getting to Dieppe on my mind! My chain came off once today, I got overtaken by three guys on road bikes up a hill that made me look like I was going at snails pace, they didn’t know what day I had already gone through. Then met a man and his three kids, I overtook these ones though, they were from Belgium. I stopped off at Baie de Somme for some lunch, really needed a good 15 minute sit down. Bought some stores to replace all that I had drunk and ate during the day, these two kids were standing outside the supermarket eyeing up the set of wheels! They tried to get some response out of me, but saying my French is bad is an understatement! This man pulled up on his bike beside me as I was getting ready to set off, he asked where I was from, and then went “Beckham”, like that’s all the English he knew. Then he came back out the shop with two cans of beer and a sandwich. He gave me the sarnie and told me to eat it after my ride. Top man!

Well I’m off to sleep now, got to be up early and get myself over to the sports shop to see if I can pick up a few more tubes.

Today’s journey was 92.87 miles, riding time of 7:31:50, max speed 30.7 mph, avg speed 12.3, 5191 calories, 5.15 litres.

After yesterdays horror show and the poorest weather I think ive ever been riding in. I couldn’t have asked for much more than what today brought. Didn’t get a drop of rain on me all day. And as im typing this on the ferry the sun is beating in through the windows and looking like all might not be zoo bad after all.

Even Mr Sat Nav was feeling better today, worked first time. And then even after I took a wrong turn and it had to recalculate my route it still got me back on track. However I have noticed that it doesn’t like making me go down main roads. something I may have to figure out tomorrow. But it took me the most random route ever today. For mile after mile at some points I didn’t see a soul. And what I thought was only meant to be a 60 mile ride ended up being a 75 mile ride. Hopefully things will change in Francais.

I was an hour into my days ride when the inevitable happened! Puncture! Oh how us cyclists hate that word. I had purchased all the right kit before I left, even invested in some tyres that have kevlar in them (the stuff police stab vests are made from). Yet I guess my bike and back tyre didn’t like the piece of metal I ran over, didn’t see it till last minute as had my eyes fixed on a castle in a valley. This was my first ever puncture on this bike and first repair I have fixed since school days! I did start to panic a little bit thinking if I would even make the ferry or not. Then a man out on his own bike ride stopped and offered me some help. I said to him not to worry and that i was ok. 20 minutes later I was back on the road again. Although the tyre did seem to feel a little flat as I went over some bumps boarding the ferry.

Now when riding a bike there are set rules, I have learnt what my first two golden rules are and at a price.

– Rule 1, Never, and I say never, stop on a hill!
– Rule 2, Always listen to rule 1, and don’t be silly (like I did) and stop again further up the hill!

Now after 4 hours and 45 minutes riding and 62 miles in the saddle I came across the killer of all hills! You know when a hill is hard work when your in your lowest gear searching for another one even lower! I managed to keep a controlled fast pace of 3 mph! Even the handful of jelly beans didn’t seem to help.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think the nicest sound id hear today would be that of a seagull! It gave me the reassurance I needed that I would in fact make it to the ferry on time!

As you can see from the pics, dinner was a feast of carbs!

Today’s journey was 82.75 miles, riding time of 6 hours 30 mins, max speed 31.8 mph, avg speed 12.85 mph, 5167 calories, 4.8 litres of aqua.

Off to bed as soon as I’ve had a cold bath and a hot shower.