The Wandering Idiot

Today was a long, long day.  Raoul and I had a date to meet up with his wife and boy, Tanya and Miro…however…they were meeting us north of Bayuex, in Arromanches!  We knew we needed to put in the miles…but I didn’t quite appreciate how long of a day it was going to by.  Or how long and endless the fields are….oh those fields…followed by more fields….

All in all we put about 8 hours in on the saddle and covered 168km! My first century ride…with a fully loaded tourer!

Angerville - 100km from Rouen

In the morning we suited up quite warm and waterproof – the weather report indicated a full day of rain!  But it held out for us and although cold – remained pleasantly dry.

I got my first taste of climbs and descents – although not the pyrenees – the hills felt painful enough.

Snickers stop - bring out the Super in U!

Mircaulously, after the 8 hour slog, we bumped into Tanya and Miro sitting in their rental car on the side of the road as we headed for the predetermined camp site.  After a quick hello – the heavens opened and it suddenly became very dark…this is exactly when things finally went pear shaped…the camp site we thought would be open had closed – we lost Tanya and Miro, we had no phones, and the drizzle turned into a downpour.  After about 30 minutes of trying to find everyone again.  After regrouping, we threw in the towel and went for the nearest hotel.  Then the hunt for a hot meal started.

But, it seems, that France is closed.

There was not one restaurant in town that was open past 9pm.  No hot food anywhere.

We pleaded, we begged, and we finally found a restaurant willing to serve us starters/soups/pasta, but no mains.  Perfect…that’s all we really needed.

Pasta at last!

Mission accomplished.  Sore and tired – time for bed.

168km Bicycled Today

308km to Date