2019's bright idea: cycle to Gibraltar via 21 back-to-back centuries. Let's help M.N.D. research, Bloodwise and Blesma! Wagon rolls on Friday 20th September...
You know that saying, "Take one day at a time"? Newsflash I know, although it's been pretty obvious that that's been the script for a few days now, due to me getting a bit of aggro from my knees.
So it's been a case of trying to not make it any worse, so with that in mind I decided to change tonight's destination to Toulouse, as there was a longer mileage but a lot less climbing needed. Ah well, since when were these tours ever set in stone?
Bit of Henry Moore early doors. Could be his brother Roger, for all I know.
They do go for this a lot. Good job too.
As you can see, this was the first day of unblemished skies- get in! The plan was to stay on the D815 for as long as...in the event what did I do? That's right, accepted the idea of a re-route to take in a canal-side cycle path. I'm now questioning my own sanity after all that Google Maps have done to me, hah-hah!
Another jour, another er, bridge.
When I eventually found it, the surface was okay!
Punters jollying it up on a Sunday. Not jealous really. At all.
The final stretch before I rejoined the D815 in Agen. Extraordinary!
It was time for luncheon by now so by luck there was a branch of mine and everyone's favourite Scottish restaurant not too far away. Aware that time was tight, I didn't stay long but I asked the assistant if she could fill up my water bottles, please. Nah, no can do Chief. Have a bon journee!
Compare and contrast to another (and so far, all) McDs 20 miles up the road: absolutely yes and would you like ice in them too? Maybe pathetic, but it's the little things sometimes...
Lovely to be back in Staffordshire, hah-hah!
Hated the things then and nowt has changed. Otherwise a quality roundabout!
Because the day was essentially flat, there was little drama from the knee department which was ace.
The ice feels soooooo good...
Nah, instead the fairly unwelcome new problem was in the form of a loose spoke on the back wheel- the one that carries all the weight, pretty much. I thought things had gotten a tad more *flexible* than usual, hah-hah! It's possible that the minor sideways shunt the other day had something to do with it?
All together now: "You don't know what you're doing!"
By a miracle I do carry a spoke key, so tightened it okay, but my problem is now that the wheel needs to be trued a bit, i.e. it is a little bit wonky from side-to-side. Of course I have no idea about how to do this, but that's where The Internet can help. I hope...
Oh come on- there was no way that I wasn't making a u-turn to snap that!
And in 'Advertising Today'...
The final 15 miles into Toulouse were a bit lively as you'd expect but no issues. The hotel is an omni-shambles unfortunately, preferring what looks good over what actually works for the guest. Never mind, Saigon in a few hours to a new destination!
Italiano grub ce soir. Was terrific!
So we've stolen a few more yards today: hoping for similar tomorrow. Once again, I can't thank you generous so-an-so's enough...the totals are immense and really appreciated by the causes. In case you wonder whether they notice, I can answer yes indeed they do.
Evening folks! I'll not even try and bluff you 'cos I've *way* too much love & respect for you all, you know: anyway, I started doing the blog and crashed-out (your gags are too obvious) so it'll be a tad photo-centric, ahem...
Yeah, it is a tad sore. Knee is more of an issue though. More drugs please!
So, outta lovely Cognac and into the countryside all tickety-boo except for the standard breeze against and a couple of rude 10% climbs: who needs that nonsense?
Right lads, is that the sunflower season over then?
The progress wasn't rapid as per, and I was glad to see a Boulanger open: not quite as fine as previous effots but a respectable 7/1o nevrtheless.
There's a salmon one lurking beneath. Neither lasted long, hah-hah!
Call that a roadblock? Snuck by on our RHS, nae drama!
Business especially slow for a Saturday morning!
Excellent bridge-work to cross La Dordogne at Branne.
Another time- more interested in water right now!
Google suggested a turn onto a cycle route: having been burned by it about 27 times previously, one was a little bit cautious, hah-hah!
In the event, Google was right!
Almost 10 car-free miles, thanks.
It's based on a defunct railway line- genius, or what?
Gone but not forgotten, etc...
Good use though.
As you can see, even Mr Sun came out to play...great stuff. A treat to use that sun lotion that I've lugged around all the while, hah-hah!
Good bridging, people.
It was almost as regulation a run-in as you get: nice to try and fail again chatting to some passing cyclists...always get a hearty "Courage" or "Bon chance, Monsieur!", which is nice. "No chance, Monsieur", more like.
The view from tonight's Ibis Budget. Yeah, the socks make it!
Sorry it's a tad rushed folks but I am toast...felt much the same *after* I woke-up this morning, hah-hah!
Anyway, here's Public Image Limited with the message...bon nuit!
Cheers John.
More yards gained...great!
Thanks a million for the donations- the charities have been in touch and are thrilled with your generosity. Good on you!
I really wasn't keen on leaving my lovely hotel this morn: not because of shoddy weather (it was dry) of because of fatigue (been done-in for a week, hah-hah!) but because it was just so *nice*...massive ground floor room, best shower, wi-fi that worked, comfy and warm bed, no noisy neighbours, decent breakfast from 6.30am and it was cheap too! Come on mate, shake a leg...
Starter for ten? This'll do for me!
Always give it some Johnny Morris when wildlife is passed.
At about 15 miles in, I was joined by a bloke from one of the local cycling clubs. He spoke zero English and it takes me an aeon to form a Franglais sentence, so it was hard going, hah-hah!
Top man- he steered me through town and basically said to eff any roadworks. Er, sound advice?
Anyway, his directions were spot-on so merci monsieur! Another bonus ball when I passed a primary school with a classroom of kids all in crocodile formation waiting to be walked somewhere: a couple of them waved and shouted "Allez, allez!", which only encouraged their pals to join in. Excellent!
My new cycling buddy wondered how I navigated. I wonder too, frequently...
Ongar. Really? I passed through there last Sunday and it didn't put me in mind of this place, hah-hah!
Never tried it. Probably never will either!
It was back onto semi-exposed roads by now with the winds increasing. Mercifully they were not into me but it still kills.
Sideways hooley: look at the effect on President Trump's hair either side of the road!
A proper cyclist soon passed me but with no reply to my hello. He disappeared ahead, approaching an area with roadworks and a detour signposted.
Plead ignorance: not difficult in my case.
I decided to ignore the re-route on the grounds that it was a pain, hah-hah! It did look a bit iffy when i coasted up but the foreman bloke waved me on, even moving a barrier. Excellent work, Chief.
So after another 10 miles I'm on my way routeing through Niort and of course who passes me as I'm halfway through the town? The Proper Cyclist fella who gives me a double-take as he wonders how I did that: one couldn't resist a cheery "Hello again!", hah-hah!
Feeling the need to take frequent stops to give things a rest.
Top tree work.
Eventually the 100 mile mark clicked-over and I was looking forward to the finish. Google Maps had other ideas though...I decided to accept a re-route that it claimed saved 5 minutes. Oh really? I'll let the pictures tell the story...
Fair enough- a trip through someone's vineyard...
Oh come on, nobody needs a puncture!
Cyclocross is it now? Have a word Google!
One day I'll look back at all this and laugh. One day...anyway, made it to tonight's lovely acco.
Nicest looking view so far! Socks excepted.
Sorry everyone about the insoles. Needs must etc...
It was a case of admin first as per and then out to a very adjacent bistro to eat them out of maison et er, maison!
Would love to return to spend some time wandering around...cheers Cognac!
That's as much as I know about today: that is the eighth century done. Hope there's more to come...in the meantime here's Harold Casey and his pals with some sound advice!
And of course you'll want to know where we have been, and how slowly!
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!
