So this is it, the start of the final week of Gibraltar to Yorkshire. But Im trying my hardest not to think like that. Theres still a long way to go, and some very heavy days ahead. Today being one of them.
Having completely re-written my route. And daftly forgetting to pick the print out up off my friend Emma yesterday, Ive been more reliant on the GPS than ever before. And wow, was it taking me down some back roads today. Some good for mountain biking. But by taking the back roads, rather than the main routes. I'm saving over 100km from Rochefort to Caen. Which is something I'd planned anyway. 100km is a day basically.
Having 440km to Caen, I decided the day after the rest to really blast out some kms again today and get that down to about 300km to Caen.
Going through all the back roads, passing fields, dodging tractors. Bouncing over rough tracks, all in the name of heading north! It was nice to be away from the traffic tho, and found some really nice places.
Also as I've headed inland again and away from coastal areas, there has been a noticeable increase to hills! So I've had a few climbs to do today. Absolutely nothing on the sacle of the mountains in Spain tho. But even so, they were pretty tough, and some short but incredibly steep. I was literally grinding on the first gear. (Thats bike term for standing up and peddling as hard as you can for the extra power up hills)
Stopped for maccy dees for lunch as well :) I did spot one. But other than that, there were very few supply places.
Even before the 100km mark I was feeling tired, legs aching back aching. Really felt like I've hit a wall. The body is getting to the point of having enough of all this. To be honest, I cant blame it. I've had feelings of having enough too today. So a few low points there. Im just focussed now on keeping on going and getting to Caen. Because once im there, I will have made it across the whole of France and Spain, and the finish line will be in sight. I'm looking forward to getting into the UK, to some english speaking territory. Even though I'm getting closer each day, it doesnt feel like it. I'm really in the heart of foreigness now!
Interestingly also, I seemed to have entered a very religious area of France. On corners, and roundabouts, theres crosses, and virgin marys everywhere. Id be interested to know more about that.
Towards the end of the day it was time to find a camp site. And viola one within 3km and on the route Im taking. But having got there, it didnt exist! Damn gps! Maybe it closed down. There was actually signs for it too, but it literally didnt exist! So another one 10km onwards, north but also slightly west (off course). So I headed for it. Finally got there, and its closed. Finished for the season now! Arghhh! I was tempted to pitch anyway! There was no one around. But another look on the GPS saw another one north about 6km so thought theres still daylight, lets try that.
Third time lucky I was in. But woah. I didnt feel like i had the energy to put the tent up. Absolutely whiped out today. Tonight im feeling week and for the first time on the trip, not hugely well to be honest. Hopefully a good sleep will sort that out. But theres no food or restaurant or nothing on site either. So I'll just be on the rations tonight, I get a feeling this could be a really tough week.
But here's, the good news! Im now 303km from Caen. Which means if I do over 100km tomorrow then Wednesday and Thursday will be easy days. I can see me getting to Caen Thursday afternoon and having hours to kill before I can board the ferry. But rather that than having a panic of not getting there in time!
| Todays stats | |
|---|---|
| Start | Rochefort.10:15 |
| End | Saint-Laurent-Sur-Sevre.19:45 |
| Saddle Time | 7 hr 36 min 16 sec. |
| Distance travelled | 143.58km |
| Average Speed | 18.8kph |
| Max speed | 48.4km |
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