Saint Malo to Bilbao! We’re off!

[twentysix by twentyfive]

All the time then if you have northern blood

That's my thinking but Guarda Civil have Spanish blood and are "The Law". My ploy is to carry my helmet and don it if challenged. In fact I did forget to take a helmet on one occasion and I saw the Gurada Civil quite a few times as I pedalled about. They weren't bothered in my case but I've heard some stories to the contrary.

Wonderful pics @Cathryn

 

[T4tomo]

Must be tough cycling thru Brittany, your poor old hubby has aged a bit....

 

[BrumJim]

Must be tough cycling thru Brittany, your poor old hubby has aged a bit....
View attachment 740140

And shrunk!

 

[Brandane]

And shrunk!

Impressive beard growth after only 2 days though....

 

[Gillstay]

Well done on making a suitably small and easily rectified sacrifice to the God of Things Forgotten and Left Behind.

That sounds a bit Terry Pratchet.

 

[Cathryn]

We are now 10 days in and have made it to Bordeaux where we will be enjoying a rest day, which is particularly well timed as it’s going to hit 40’degrees today. It’s been an amazing trip so far. The cycling has been very pleasant - the long distance bike paths have absolutely blown my mind! I’ll post one pic from each day!

Day 1. Saint Malo to Dinan

Day 2. Dinan to Josselin

Day 3. Josselin to Redon

Day 4. Redon to Nantes

Day 5. Nantes to Noirmoutier via the submersible road, the Passage du Gois

Day 6. Noirmoutier to La Roche sur Yon

Day 7. LRSY to La Rochelle

Day 8. La Rochelle to Saintes

Day 9. Saintes to Lagarde sur le Ne

Day 10 Lagarde to Bordeaux

 

[blackrat]

Cathryn said:
"We are now 10 days in and have made it to Bordeaux where we will be enjoying a rest day, which is particularly well timed as it’s going to hit 40’degrees today."
Where I live, the temps have been hitting 101F this summer and I consume a bottle - 24 oz - of electrolyte water every 12-13 miles and I find no issues with flagging. There is no reason not to ride and enjoy the pleasure of it as long as one sensibly hydrates.
Lovely photos, btw, thanks for that.
I also note on Pic 6 you are running a triple, one doesn't see many triples any more. But sensible gearing in my opinion. I have a steel bike with a triple and it just hangs in the garage - sans saddle.
Ken.

 

[Cathryn]

Cathryn said:
"We are now 10 days in and have made it to Bordeaux where we will be enjoying a rest day, which is particularly well timed as it’s going to hit 40’degrees today."
Where I live, the temps have been hitting 101F this summer and I consume a bottle - 24 oz - of electrolyte water every 12-13 miles and I find no issues with flagging. There is no reason not to ride and enjoy the pleasure of it as long as one sensibly hydrates.
Lovely photos, btw, thanks for that.
Ken.

We used to live in California where the temperatures were similar and we got used to them and were hardy like you! But we’re just not accustomed to this heat now and find it quite hard to ride long distances when it’s so hot!

 

[Bollo]

Just caught up on this and lovely pictures @Cathryn. Sensible choice on having a rest tomorrow.

 

[Cathryn]

We got home this evening, it’s lovely to be home with the cats but we had such a good time! I’ll just post one more pic per day to finish the series!

Day 11 Bordeaux to Mimizan

Day 12 Mimizan to Anglet

Day 13 Anglet to Beasain, Spain

Day 14. Beasain to Bilbao (in the rain)

Day 15. Bilbao to the ferry port

And the official finishing photo 😂

It was a brilliant trip! We loved it! Now to get planning for next year!

 

[BrumJim]

We got home this evening, it’s lovely to be home with the cats but we had such a good time! I’ll just post one more pic per day to finish the series!

Day 11 Bordeaux to Mimizan

View attachment 742158
Day 12 Mimizan to Anglet

View attachment 742159
Day 13 Anglet to Beasain, Spain

View attachment 742161
Day 14. Beasain to Bilbao (in the rain)

View attachment 742162
Day 15. Bilbao to the ferry port

View attachment 742163
And the official finishing photo 😂

View attachment 742164

It was a brilliant trip! We loved it! Now to get planning for next year!

Really want us to join you next year. Only part of me is joking.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Lovely stuff @Cathryn Super ride for sure.

 

[Cathryn]

Really want us to join you next year. Only part of me is joking.

That’s a lovely thing to say!

 

[postman]

Just found this superb wonderful photos.

 

[Cathryn]

Just found this superb wonderful photos.

Hope you’re doing okay x