Pootling back

The van only does pootling, so the best way to head home is slowly. The original plan was to head into the mountains to see another TdF stage, but the road closure hassle and the reluctance of the tree trunks to do yet more climbing, meant a decision to start the journey back seemed more sensible.

We headed into the Champagne region, aiming for a hypermarket and then a campsite at Epernay. Unfortunately the campsite was ‘complet’ (it’s Bastille weekend), so we carried on westwards and found a gorgeous replacement at Dormans, on the banks of the river Marne. 

I left the Support Crew to sample the local wine and pedalled off along the most beautiful voie verte - the French really know how to do a bike path. 

I could have cycled up into the vineyards but my legs were knackered so I zoomed along the flat path to Epernay. Obviously when I turned round I realised the tailwind was now a headwind so the legs complained all the way back!

The following day, we needed to drive another 150 km into the Somme region. To avoid Bastille weekend issues, I booked the campsite online and again it was a great find - Camping du Port de Plaisance. Why can’t we have campsites like this in the UK?!

After another visit to E.Leclerc, this time in Peronne, Support Crew was once again left in wine soaked peace as I let Garmin choose a round trip route through the beautiful countryside.

You can’t beat moules frites in a French campsite.

The final 150 km was a slow drive back to Guînes.

I had planned to go for a bike ride but the strong wind, knackered legs and an afternoon of amazing sport changed my plans. How could I resist one of the best Wimbledon finals ever and unbelievable excitement from a cricket match...

A very exciting end to a fabulous trip - thanks so much Support Crew, GravelBob and a very mucky campervan.

Day 11 Off to the Tour de France

The original idea for this trip was to meet up with Big Bro and watch the TdF in Alsace - we do love a cunning plan! Stage 1 of the plan was for me to cycle over the Col de la Schlucht to meet up for lunch at Big Bro’s friend’s house in Walbach... not complicated at all...

It was a stunning ride and I arrived just as lunch was being served - success!

The aim was to watch the tour on the climb of Cinq Chateau which involved a narrow trail hike up a hill - not easy pushing a bike.

It was a fantastic place to spectate, great atmosphere and not too crowded.

It was so exciting watching these cycling machines making the climb look easy.

Once the cavalcade had gone through, you would think that the spectators on bikes would be allowed to pedal off down the hill but Monsieur Le Gendarme said non! 

I thought it would be a great idea to head off road and escape les gendarmes. I may have over estimated my mountain biking skills..

After a lot of swearing, bumping and pushing the bike, I eventually ended up in a vineyard - serendipity 

We met up with Big Bro and Jan for a huge dinner in Eguisheim and slept in a very warm hotel bed.
Mission accomplished - Calais to Colmar (ish). Now for the slow pootle back to reality.

Day 10 Into the hills

Camping Domaine Des Messires is a gorgeous campsite next to a lake (hello yet more mozzie bites) so a two night stay was needed again.

The tree trunks needed more hill training (not) so I let Garmin find another of its infamous round trip routes. I decided to be brave and chose the gravel bike option which apparently means let’s find some seriously rocky forest roads.

An afternoon of relaxing with a book was needed after that before another night of hypothermia.

Day 9 Drowning not melting

Be careful what you wish for... from 33c to 10c

BBC forecast declared it wasn’t going to rain but fortunately I looked at the sky and decided to put a jacket in my back pocket.

Once I accepted being soaking wet, it was so much easier on the bike in the much cooler temperature.

It would have been a beautiful ride in the sunshine.

The rain finally stopped when I got to the campsite, obviously, and what a gorgeous campsite.

A lovely German family came to tell us they had a van ‘twin’.

Our van might be marginally more comfortable but probably just as cold - I went to bed wearing all my clothes, including socks, and was still frozen!

Day 8 Long lunch fail

We had a lovely spot on the campsite which became wonderfully peaceful once everyone had set off on their long journey south, so we decided to stay another day and find a restaurant for a long lunch.

I pedalled off post croissants for a little explore of the gorgeous Vosges countryside.

The long lunch plan then went a bit wrong, only one restaurant was open in the town/hamlet and it was fully booked. Lunch became very yummy Quiche Lorraine from a boulangerie and Alsace wine sitting in the sunshine by the van - could be worse!

Day 7 Vers les Vosges

Today was a tough day on the bike, hot and hilly again.

I hardly saw a car today and had a bit of a water crisis - fortunately I found a Turkish restaurant in the middle of nowhere where a very nice waiter topped up my water bottles with ice cold water.

Camping Porte des Vosges is most definitely a stop over site for Dutch families heading south. We had a very entertaining afternoon/evening watching varying levels of caravan reversing capabilities.

Day 6 Lap du Lac

We decided to spend two nights at the gorgeous campsite so I had a day to explore. Apparently the beautiful middle of nowhere has the largest artificial lake in Western Europe, Lac du Der-Chantecoq, so obviously it needs to be cycled around.

Meanwhile back at the campsite, Rusty was itching to ‘help’ the farmer create straw bales.

Mozzie bites developing nicely....

Day 5 Melting in Meuse

The temperature hit 33c today, somewhat warm to be riding a bicycle up and down hills.

As it was so hot, I hitched a lift for 20 miles to the edge of the Forest of Argonne. I chose that drop off as I thought a forest would be cooler, not realising the historical significance. It was where trench warfare began and ended and where thousands of soldiers died.

One of the most moving places I’ve seen during my travels on a bicycle.

Today’s campsite was definitely one of the best ever. Camping Domaine du Buisson was in Louvemont also known as the middle of nowhere. Our pitch was by the side of a fast running stream with resident Coypu families.

Lots of this happening on this holiday:

And this: