Friday woken at an ungodly hour by the ferry trying to get us to spend money on breakfast and by 6.50am we're cycling up the cloudy coolish coast but great riding conditions except for the odd stretch of sand on gravel. We're hardly tip top - me recovering from a chest infection and puffing salbutamol (it's prescribed honest!), Chris has a terrible cold and Pete suffering from cat related lack of sleep. A camel and alpaca are the weirdest thing we see grazing at the side of one road. We go past Juno (Canadian) and Gold (British) beaches with their off shore landing stages still in place and anti-tank things on the beaches. After a while we leave the coast at Arromanches then at Bayeaux we take the train (I'm out voted) to Lison where we join the lovely riverside ride into Saint Lo. By now the sun is out in force and we lunch on a no cheese pizza and cheese plate. Through Dangy where I check out the church and we stock up on supplies at Roncey before arriving at Contrieres to be welcomed by Simon with well needed cold beers and soon Jules returns laden with goodies. Simon's curry goes down very well and after the mandatory bike fiddling and a quick walk around the block we turn in for a well earned sleep.
Caen port to Contriers in 67 miles: https://www.strava.com/activities/1700328581
 |
| A cloudy start along the coast past gothic holiday homes |
 |
| The first cafe we find that's open |
 |
| Juno Beach |
 |
| Pete cycles past the guns of Juno |
 |
| Chris stops to reflect |
 |
| Further on up the coast |
 |
| Turning inland towards Bayeaux |
 |
| Pete tries out the bike rack on the train to Lison |
 |
| Riverside to Saint Lo |
 |
| Dangy church - note odd head coming out of the egg |
 |
| Dangy church |
 |
| And on towards Contrieres |
 |
| Five Cyclists Clothes |
 |
| Friday's route (straight bit in the middle is the train) |
Saturday is no respite as Simon has a fun packed day planned. First off me him and Jules tootle off to a local boot sale or vide where I'm tooted out but meet the Contrieres mayor who's admiring my bike. After a quick swim in the river we cycle home carrying metal garden furniture precariously. Then the five of us cycle on the inland route to Pirou (I won't mention the Rotisserie Chicken Episode - just study the Strava route) under a scorching sun stopping off at the Chateau de Gratou vide to browse the crap and drink cider. At Pirou tide is way out but there's a pool that is filled with sea water so we get to cool off with a dip. Ride back along the busier coast road but French drivers are forgiving of cyclists and we're soon home. Jules rustles up a fabulous pasta meal and after our evening constitutional it's time for sleep. For me at least.
Pirou loop in 47 miles: https://www.strava.com/activities/1702412050
 |
| Simon & Jim having a dip post boot sale |
 |
| Poseurs |
 |
| Riding up the coast, inland |
 |
| Pirou plage |
 |
| A well deserved evening meal - thanks Jules! |
 |
| Tabac sign |
 |
| Saturday's route to Pirou |
Sunday is another hot one and after a lay in and breakfast we cycle to Hauteville sur Mer Plage (RIP Matt) where the sea is in so after a swim and lay in the sun we retire to a cafe where due to all in the party trying to help the waitress understand what I can and can't eat by shouting out in pigeon French I end up with lettuce and chips. I have a 25 year old calvados to make up for it. Then it's down to Montmartin and down to the river for a swim where I nearly brain myself with a tree branch. Then it's up to Montmartin cultural centre to watch the World Cup Final (we didn't bother with England's 3rd place play off yesterday although a French guy told me we lost). The place is very quiet despite over a thousand there and the makeshift bar is empty. Very different to England. Things liven up as it seems certain that France will win and at final whistle a few of the youngsters jump about and even spill a little beer but it's soon mopped up. Final score 4-2 and I'm still owed ten euros from everyone. Cycle back home avoiding the nasty gravel road to watch le Tour on the nasty cobbles before asparagus for tea. I visit the church and have a look in the tower before a last drink and turn in.
Hauteville loop in 24 miles: https://www.strava.com/activities/1704913477
 |
| Hauteville sur Mer Plage cafe - waiting for my plate of lettuce |
 |
| Pre match swim at Hyenville |
 |
| Not so atmospheric at Montmartin sur Mer |
 |
| France scoring gets a few cheers |
 |
| Final whistle... |
 |
| ... we've won again! |
 |
| Raucousness nearly breaks out. But not quite. |
 |
| Simon's gaff |
 |
| Sun sets on our brief escursion |
 |
| Sunday's route to Hauteville sur Mer Plage |
Monday sees a big breakfast before Jules and Pete sneak off early leaving Simon, Chris and me to clean and tidy up the house. After an hour or so we catch up the break away stopping at a German WWII cemetery. It's a long ride as I'm suffering from sunstroke, chest infection and Chris' cold which has jumped to me. We're up and down the switchbacks to Cherbourg going straight to the port for a cold beer. It's very quiet today, maybe a post Bastille Day / post World Cup holiday? Starts sunny but by Cherbourg it's overcast with even a couple of spots of rain. We board the fast boat to Portsmouth then it's goodbyes to Simon and Jules before the three of us get the train to Waterloo through the English countryside in a gorgeous evening. Then it's out into London traffic which we've forgotten how bad the drivers are. Great trip - thanks guys.
Contrieres to Cherbourg in 56 miles: https://www.strava.com/activities/1706306180
Another 10 miles when back in England.
 |
| German WWII cemetary... |
 |
| ... goes off into the distance |
 |
| A lot of teenagers here - last throw of the dice |
 |
| Outside Cherbourg - no pizza but a weird doggy parlour (see name) |
 |
| Monday's route |
