Alison and Alison and the art of re-tyrement

Distance 52.8 miles Ascent 603 metres Descent 636 metres We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded Level 2 cyclist status by Christophe. I am wondering if my Cycling Proficiency Badge will give us any bonus points. We are not sure how this occurred as Christophe’s predicted journey time for today was 6.15…

Distance 41.6 miles Ascent 653 metres Descent 583 metres Christophe had designed a wonderful route for us today. We started on the EV 3 cycling along the banks of a canal off the Garonne and then on through rural France via a Rembrandt route, finally climbing up to the scented pine forests of the Lot…

Distance 52 miles Ascent 530 metres Descent 464 metres Another night, another storm. Thunder, lightening and torrential rain. The compact nature of our tent means that it is our panniers or us that stay dry. No contest. A lovely ride through vineyards, orchards and along the Garonne. No opportunity to recharge our devices and battery…

Distance 49.8 miles Ascent 455 Descent 552 We like a plan and today we resolved to leave early before it was too hot. We hadn’t taken into account the events of the night. We woke in the early hours to sheet lightening, thunder, torrential rain and our little tent shaking in the wind. It went…

Distance 43.7 miles Ascent 570 metres Descent 535 metres We started the day on the number 5 bus where we went to Fleac to pick up our bikes. Julien at Bike Master had done a wonderful job on Alison’s bike and it now has a new brake and gear cable. We are ready for the…

11.1 miles walking Up before 7am and in Bordeaux by 9.00am. We took great delight in confounding Christophe by getting to Bordeaux well before the projected arrival time. It is a doddle by train. Today I had an appointment with the British Consulate in Bordeaux to collect my emergency travel document. What to wear to…

Distance 35.8 miles Plus 8 miles to the bike shop Ascent 513 metres Descent 551 metres Christophe was a marvel today. He took us on a beautiful route through the Charente valley to Angloueme. We have given Christophe a silver star but cannot award the highest honour due to his un-nerving ability to take us…

Distance 53.9 miles A momentous day. Woke refreshed after a sleep in a comfortable bed, clean clothes to wear and a delicious breakfast. Our continuing search for a cycle shop was fruitless. They are all closed in France on a Monday. Undeterred we made our way to Decathlon where a very special event took place.…

Distance cycling 15 k Distance travelled in total 90 km In our attempt to grade the cycle shops in France we took a train to Poitiers on the promise of a cycle shop that would be open. But this is France and a Sunday. We come from a nation of shopkeepers and with great expectations…

Distance 30.6 miles Ascent 288 metres Descent 212 metres A pleasant morning. Another visit to the bike shop, visited Tours and got a stamp in the Cathedral then made our way out into rural France. We had given Christophe the day off as our journey was straight down what we thought was the well sign-posted…