From the Black Sea to the Atlantic by bike

A strange day. It doesn’t feel real. A Latish start – not a shock after some booze the night before! I have a reception party coming out but instead of the planned 60 kms left, I only have 15. Daughter Sarah, Dave, and baby Eilidh have to drive down to the finish from Nantes and…

Days 41 and 42 are unfashionably late. I need Wi-Fi to complete the blog and our hotel Wi-Fi is not up to it. Not only that, I lose day 41 when it fails to back up and crashes- so I have to do it again!! In theory I only have about 60 kms to do…

The boys left last night to get the night ferry back. We had a few beers with them before they went- then thought it was a good idea to sink a couple of bottles of local wine! Not an early start today! It is not a long stage today. I get away just after 1000.…

After day 38 we had a rest day on a great campsite near Chenonceau Chateau. It is a beautiful building on a bridge over the river Cher. It has stood for hundreds of years so managed to withstand Sean and Mark paddle boarding into into it. Luckily Hooner didn’t get down as far as the…

I have a new team of supporters now. The boys have come to help me along. Passepartout has joined them at Amboise on Sunday night and I have to cycle down to join them on Monday morning. They are preparing themselves for the next day. Monday morning arrives and support group one goes home. That’s…

It’s a very pleasant stay at Sancerre. The supporters check out the ‘caves’ and get themselves some bottles to take back. We are staying in an hotel overlooking one of the grape growing slopes. Krc learns about the different types of soil in this small area and likes the limestone. That is the area in…

Company on the ride today. My wife, Katy, decides she will ride with me on this stage. It is very hot again today and we have fresh bread and pastries for breakfast delivered at the campsite. Luxury. We are away just after 0900. We are off! First stop today is Nevers, some 36kms away. We…

Another short half day as we are meeting the supporters group later today! As I am starting from off route due to the lack of camp-space and mainly due to my navigational cock up yesterday, I decide to try and regain a few kilometres by following Google maps direct cycle route instead of my EV6…

Plan is for half day today. Plan for last night was to each at the campsite. Bar was open but not serving food. Checked Google- there is a kebab shop 1km away – needs must- however it is closed.there is a pizzeria 2.5 kms away. Passepartout agrees to cycle- we ride to the village- pizzeria…

Met a fabulous couple last night on the campsite. Pulled up pitched next to us at Radom on a busy site. Ton, and Rita, from Amsterdam. It turns out that Ton retired after 45 years as a police officer in Amsterdam and Rita had met him whilst she was serving. Cue for a full fledged…