Long Live Rock!: Don't Stop...stage 7...Fougeres to Cholet

Okay, let's go to Cholet! I've abandoned looking at weather forecasts, so we'll see what we get. Hmm...similar to the last few days, although precipitation-wise nothing worse than a squall or two, so that's a bonus.

Hang on, mate- like you've any other choice!

The kind of surface makes a difference too: country roads and villages have their charm, but sometimes smooth tarmac rules!

Mate- if you've faked your own death, this is hardly gonna guarantee anonymity, is it?

Things were trundling along okay. Up ahead, there was car parked outside a house backing very slowly to the road and then stopped- I was sure that the driver had clocked me or wasn't gonna anything daft.

As I begin to pass it, the motor reverses straight off the pavement- I could see it happening so floored-it as best as I could but its bumper contacted with my pannier. good job that I remained upright and also that I had my MacBook on the other side.

A wee bit bent in...otherwise sound!

Nice momento of the occasion- some of his manky bumper paint!

The driver was a bloke about 40 or so: I said that he oughta regardez where he was going...that was about the best that I could muster! The insouciant berk didn't even bother to get out of his car.

In the event, no real harm I think, although the impact did bend the pannier rack in slightly. Still, rather that than my leg. He waited until I was happy that there was nothing more to be done (Del Boy Franglais or not) and then promptly sodded-off!

Meh- dugs in cycling! Due to a knee protesting un peu, I resorted to this.

More expert lens work. Colours were ace though!

Time was marching of course and even though my food/re-fuelling strategy was way better then yesterday's (read: more luck than judgement), I was glad when this place rolled into view...

I heart boulangers!

The shop was immaculate and the owner talked ten-to-the-dozen at me in French (the outrage, etc.) whilst serving me some brilliant grub. It was a sort of pizza-ish thing that even outshone yesterday's stellar effort!

Listen- I don't know what the names are, I just eat it!

After I rolled out, it wasn't too long before a diversion added all kinds of faff and nause. Not what's required.

Added a few bonus miles. No really, you shouldn't have.

The upside was that I got to cycle past this:

My old TdF mucker, Mental Marc. Bon!

Speak of the devil...at this year's TdF!

It took a bit of sorting to get back to where we should have been, but then it was a case of trundling in to Cholet, and it was a bit of a a drag...

Without the diversion, I would have missed Grugé-L'Hôpital,

Also available in yellow, etc...

No, not tonight's acco. Mine's an Ibis Budget. Brilliant!

Was quite pleased to see Cholet arrive: it had been another awkward one. Unfortunately I don't that changing anytime soon. One day at a time, eh? Tonight's hotel is the best yet: massive room on the ground floor, bike in room, decent wi-fi and it's quiet. Thank you!

It did exactly wot it sez on the tin!

Eminently agreeable. Cheers!

As seen in the restaurant. A strong look, that.

Usual sign-off: we'll see what tomorrow brings...thank you for the unbelievable donations...please share this if you can. All still meant though, folks. The totals are fantastic and so are you!