Dave and his Bike

July 17th 2022

Not a good day. 

I slept reasonably well. Jane didn’t. She seemed fine at breakfast, but as soon as we left the B&B on the bikes (0845ish) she felt nauseous and tired. This was compounded by the first part of the route on ‘white roads’ (a Michelin map thing) which turned into gravel farm tracks for a few kilometres prior to Mairé-Levescault where we rejoined civilised tarmac. 

We had arranged to meet our good friends Ange & Steve in a small town south of Ruffec, about 30km away. Jane’s state of mind (and body) didn’t improve. 

By the time we met up at Verteuil-sur-Charente her mind was made up as she felt she could no longer continue. We aren’t sure what the issue is, but are guessing that 800+km in the last 10 days in increasing and debilitating heat is probably to blame. She feels guilty. I feel guilty at asking her to ride this with me. She has ridden so strongly and we’ve had such a good time that she should be massively proud of what she has achieved. Well done on getting this far!

After a prolonged decision, making stop and two cups of coffee, I carried on with Steve as today’s guest appearance. He was great as he let me sit in behind him for large sections of the next (almost) 80km. Top bloke. 

Having stopped in Agris for lunch in the shade…

…we rode the undulations through La Rochefoucauld-en-Angoumois (drink stop) then gradually turned left into the headwind. The scenery was lovely and the roads surfaces mainly good. At an impromptu rest in Marthon we were approached by a young lad walking his dogs. He asked if we wanted cold water, and returned a few minutes later (minus the dogs) with keys to a small restaurant which was closed. Not only did we get ice cold water in our bottles, but we also bought some Coke. Sometimes you meet the nicest people so unexpectedly. Soon after we crossed into the Dordogne department. Nearly home.

I had forgotten that Nontron is on a hill. I wasn’t best pleased. I swore a bit then stopped halfway up for a gel. Jane & Ange were waiting at the top outside the hotel. It was closed. To cut a long, hot, tedious and frustrating story short, there was nowhere to stay locally.

One option was to continue to ride and hopefully find something. I took the other option and am spending the night with Jane at Steve & Ange’s. Superb hosts and support crew! Not only has Steve cycled a frustrating 96km with me (he wanted 100!) but he’s cooked my dinner. He will also drop me off in Nontron tomorrow morning.