Dave and his Bike

July 15th 2022

Awake at 0710am after a good nights sleep. Since the hotel was a couple of kilometres out of town we decided that breakfast in the restaurant was a reasonable idea. It was also included in the ‘demi-pension’ option which we had taken at dinner last night – effectively a half-board package which keeps the cost down but limits menu options. Not a problem as it was still great food (we opted for fish & pork followed by cheese). 

Nice flat route east following the Loire…

…to Montjean where we turned south to St Laurent and Chemillé where we stopped for the obligatory coffee (x2). The wind today was more north-easterly, but felt more of a cross-wind than perhaps it should have done. Maybe due to our slightly south-easterly trajectory. 

The joys of the previous two days road surfaces of which I have waxed lyrical also petered out, and some of the climbs seemed longer. This was not an illusion or just tired legs, as our stats for the day bear out. The morning itself produced more climbing than any of the previous days overall. 

Bad timing between towns meant that we missed shop opening hours until we happened across an Intermarché in Nueil-les-Aubiers where we shovelled down some well earned sandwiches, crisps and cold drinks. Despite what sounds suspiciously like moaning, and Jane getting a bit sweary, we still really enjoyed the fantastic riding in beautiful countryside in the sunshine. 

Whilst eating (a late) lunch, a check of Google maps indicated a cycle path to Bressuire along the old railway line. This provided some welcome shade and relief from the frequent short, sharp climbs. Steady gradients and extremely easy (non-existent) navigation was great for the 15km it lasted into town.

A very helpful young lady at the Tourist Information found us a room at the only hotel in town which still had vacancies. Well not strictly in town – more on the business park on the outskirts. A bit ‘Premier Inn’, but air conditioned and with a selection of cold beers. What is there not to like? There’s a restaurant nearby, but also a McD’s which may be an option…

We contemplated carrying on to Parthenay this evening, but it was a pedal stroke too far for Jane. We may re-visit our route from here and try to balance the mileage a bit better. 335km left in four days. Not long now. 

Apologies for the lack of pictures today. I’ll try harder tomorrow.