Past Ride
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Sat Sep 22nd 2018
| FranceTrip | 3* |
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Leader:Richard Pethybridge |
Start Time:6:00 am |
Start Location:St Malo, France |
Description:First day in France. We arrive early (having lost an hour on the boat) but will quickly make time across flat ground after leaving St Malo. We will take coffee in Cherrueix, followed by lunch in Ducey (a new restaurant this year). After lunch the climbing starts, along a mix of roads and old railway lines. We should arrive in Vire around 1700, with plenty of time for a rest, a spruce up, and a beer before dinner. |
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Riders:David BridgeEddie Little Jan McCabe Jo Little John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Neil Bridge Richard Pethybridge Riders = 9 Weather:   Report:Only 9 riders for this trip, after Nicole sadly had to pull out at the last minute due to illness.We emerged from the ferry nice and quickly to be met with a rain shower. This had been predicted, but was nonetheless a little disappointing. John Tranter kindly decided to fit waterproof covers to his panniers, which caused the rain to stop and hold off for a decent period. The route out of St Malo proved to be a little challenging due to a couple of '"DÃￜï¿œÃￜ©viations" caused by roadworks and a closed lock bridge. But we were soon on our way along the Baie de la Seine coast road, aided by a brisk westerly wind. With perfect timing (Luck or judgement? Your call...) we arrived at our regular cafÃￜï¿œÃￜ© stop in Cherrueix just as Monsieur le Patron was opening up. A very efficient delivery of coffee, and an equally efficient provision of patisserie from the shop next door fortified us in preparation for the next stage past Mont St Michel. Following the "Voies Verte" through fields we crossed the river Cousenon to head north towards the Mont. En route Richard suffered the first (and thankfully only) puncture of the weekend. Leaving the Mont in our rear view mirror (well, Karen's anyway) we headed towards a potential lunch stop. Booking had proven impossible, with every restaurant apparently closed. In the end we dipped in (naval slang for "got lucky"  )with a most accommodating boulangerie in Pontorson and with the rain holding off (we'd had showers all morning) we ate on picnic benches by the river.More Voies Verte followed, before we ground our way up the first big climb to Reffuveille. The wind was now much more southerly, and the rain becoming heavier. A long road section to Juvigny-le-Tertre was a rollercoaster, with strong side winds almost causing the peloton to break into echelon formation. Luckily we dropped back onto the Voie Verte for the run up towards Vire, although by now the rain was getting more torrential. The final run down into Vire was completed in heavy rain with roads awash - a shame because it's a glorious quiet downhill road with great sight lines. The most kamikaze of us still made almost 60kmh on it though... After a last tricky drag up into the town centre, accompanied by the slightly bizarre piped music that plays on Vire's streets, the somewhat bedraggled group arrived at the hotel, tired, wet, but thoroughly chuffed with ourselves. Not long after, and fortified by hot showers and Grimbergen, we enjoyed another excellent post-ride meal at our favourite Vire restaurant, Le Robbery. | ||
Distance:125.05 km (77.70 mi) | Ride Details:https://www.strava.com/activities/1862254906 | |
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| Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28182893" | ||
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- 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.
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