First some Stats:
Day two / Day three
Distance travelled 78.3 miles / 77.3miles
Average speed 11.4mph / 10.6mph
Max 31.1mph / 27.6mph
time 6.47 hrs / 7.12 hrs
Total 153 miles / 230miles
Early start from Dover to check in for ferry and after p+o breakfast - filling but expensive- we landed in Calais at 11.00 and after a few wrong turns found the road we wanted - grey and overcast but stayed dry and we cycled along a couple of canals watching the grey herons fishing.
we managed 30 miles before a very pleasant lunch in a restaurant in Lumbres - La Clairiere - and then discovered in conversation with the patron that our afternoon ride to Arras was 15 miles more than I had calculated - great ride over rolling hills and a couple of big climbs. Oli was surprised the first time it rained in France and disappointed the second time - particularly because of the force of the crosswind and the hailstorm that followed.
After that, the last 2 hours into Arras was tremendous - clear sky and sunshine - which encouraged our tired legs. finally got to the hotel by about 8.00pm. My first experience of Formule 1 - talk about reducing hotel keeping to the bare essentials.
Thursday was always going to be big day with 77 miles to do but we started in sunshine and apart from a couple of v short showers had sun all day - however we also had a headwind all day which was like riding though treacle for most of the time.
Great pastries with coffee in Bapaume and lunch outside in nthe sunshine at Ham but still the wind blew. great downhill finish into Soissons where we found a bike shop so that I could get some chain lube. Oli got a new cycling cap which he says is worth cycling 900 miles for. our hotel tonight was in a similar style but this time we had to bring the bikes into the room with us. greqt photo of the room, us and the washing line if I can find somewhere to upload it.
Our route has taken past countless war grave sites - French, British, South African, Canadian, Australian and German - and the towns and villages all sound familiar from history lessons. We stopped for a while at Sailly Sailliset and sat in the peace of the Commonwealth cemetery for a while - perhaps we should get our politicians to do that regularly so that they dont rush into more wars. Rode past Armentieres this morning which brought back a whole new set of songs to sing as we rode along - just as well no one could hear.Lots more to write but still have 50 miles to ride today. we were on the road at 7.30am so that we could afford time to find somewhere with internet - pity it has a very odd keyboard which is very frustrating. Off now to join Oli at the patisserie
2 comments:
If your are going to moan and discus the weather all the time I might take my attension elsewhere. Hope Oli has not lost his cap in all that wind!! More news on cheese and wine please - keep it up, impressed with your progress thus far
Just consider yourselves lucky that you are riding across New Orleans, or Denmark come to think of it. Flat but very windy. It sounds like the trip of a life time. Keep going. Love Herman & Anne Marie
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