Fubar
Guru
My ride a couple of days back: With the help of a bargain hotel deal and cashing in our Tesco Club Card points for a crossing on Eurotunnel, Mrs Donger had arranged a short trip to France for a couple of nights in the Pas de Calais. Better still, she even said "You can take the bike if you like".
Woohoo!Didn't need asking twice. (That girl's a keeper).
As the travel dates got closer, so the weather forecasts got progressively worse. Never mind. I was determined to enjoy it anyway.
Turns out I needn't have worried, as the Met Office had it totally wrong and it was gloriously sunny (though breezy) and mild on Monday.
Got up at stupid o'clock to start my ride from Wimereux before dawn. The whole town was still asleep apart from me. View attachment 87193
Set off up the hill and along the coast to Ambleteuse, navigating old school, using my trusty "flatnav" device.
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It was a lovely ride through the dunes, with occasional views across to the English coast. The above path apart, Ambleteuse itself had probably some of the worst road surfaces I have come across ... lots of potholes and cobblestones worthy of Paris-Roubaix, but I ventured down to the seafront to take a look at the "Fort des Caps".
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Carried on past Audresselles and hung a left for cap Gris-Nez in glorious sunshine, with spectacular views of the White Cliffs of Dover.
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Rode down to the sea's edge, before riding back up a nice sweeping hill to the old German bunkers and blockhouses on the clifftop.
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Still almost nobody around by the time I reached the carpark, so I was able to cycle out along the footpaths and boardwalks between the bunkers of Hitler's "Atlantic Wall" and take in the views on my own.
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If anyone is getting homesick by this point, here's a gratuitous shot of dear old Blighty: View attachment 87199
Turned the bike around and headed off back to our hotel in Wimereux, deciding to take the inland route along some little country lanes through the fields. Suddenly discovered quite how strong the North wind was that I had been battling through on the way North, as I shot along the lanes at 25-30mph, overtaking a tractor with ease on my way. Loved it so much, I stopped only once for a photo..... but the views were great all the way. View attachment 87200
Wow! What a ride. These are the sort of days that remind me why I do all the repetitive training rides in all weathers. When you get a glorious sunny day and a bit of unridden road ahead of you on your holidays abroad, it is just fantastic to be able to go exploring with confidence, and know that you can get up any hills you come across. This was a glorious ride, and one that I'd recommend to anyone who can get themselves across the Channel for a day trip. I think it is only about 35 miles along the D940 coast road all the way from Calais to Boulogne, so anyone who can do 40 miles in a day could get themselves from the ferry port at Calais to Cap Gris-Nez (or just beyond) and back in a day. Up above Cap Blanc-Nez near Escalles the D940 throws in some lovely S bends and a long sweeping descent (Southwards) or climb (Northwards) to add some further interest without ever getting quite steep enough to deter hill haters. All the villages along the way have snack bars and cafes, and I reckon it would be a wonderful day out on a bike.
Here is a map:
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I was planning to do a second ride before breakfast the next morning. Unfortunately, one look out of the window revealed birds flying backwards and a selection of national flags flying so straight they looked like they were made of sheet metal. Must have been a 40-50mph West wind, and it just wasn't safe. A couple of hours later, it had died down quite a bit, but a little group of young kids were playing footy on the beach, and every one of them was still bending it like Beckham with every touch. Never mind. You can't have it all. I was so glad I took the bike anyway, because Monday's ride was among my very best in the last 7 years since I started cycling. Loved it, and recommend it. Go on, give it a go!
Cheers, Donger.
Flatnav - love it! Great photos and write up
) 2 cyclists stopped alongside my trike and started to talk with me. I was at this stage doing the drunk can't walk in a straight line act - holding onto a gate for support and working out how to get back to my trike an entire 1.5m away but on grass. Part way through the conversation about trikes and recumbents came the comment "Are you SatNavSaysStraightOn?" . @<insert name here when I remember it> 
it was nice meeting you and I do hope you didn't get as wet as I did when that next squall came through and that you had a good ride! and apologies for not remember the name - I am horrendous at them. I really thought I had remembered it! 
