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| There were several variations on this theme along the ride route. I got a good shot of this particular one by stopping in the middle of a traffic circle when there wasn't a car in sight. |
It was a gray and cloudy morning that turned into a beautifully bright and sunny day. But, from a climbing standpoint, it seemed like the day that would never end. As I was riding up yet another hill, I recalled the signage on the Minneapolis to Chicago AIDS ride from many years ago: "Just when you thought you've lost the thrill, here comes another rolling hill." Of course, by the end of that very long day, many of the riders has substituted another two-syllable expletive for "rolling." I think many of us felt the same way today.
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| There seemed to be a pattern developing as we rode south towards Fougères. After every hill climb, we'd have a sweeping descent toward another small village or commune. Those were all in the valleys before the next climb. |
Today was the kind of day that really just drains you. And, when we left our hotel this morning, many of us were already feeling a bit bone weary. I think it was mostly the lack of a proper night's sleep for many of us. And it wasn't the steepness of the hills per se, as most climbs were only averaging 3-5% grades. However, even though some of those would reach up to an 8% or 10% spike now and then, it was merely the constancy of those climbs. And some just went on seemingly forever!
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Loved this barn as I rode passed. It's the only one I've seen so far with colors to it.
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| I was pissed off at myself. The cue sheets had said our 2nd SAG stop (where we usually have lunch) was a mere five miles a way. So, although there was some kind of festival in this village that included many vendors grilling boudin and other sausages along the sidewalks (and the smell was heavenly!), I kept riding...only to find Jesse with a couple of bottles of water for refilling and an offer for a Clif Bar. I missed out on some great local food. Damn! |
All that being said, it was a good day. The scenery throughout the French countryside is just gorgeous. And, no matter how much the British like to tease the French about toilets at camping sites, the French have it all over the British when it comes to proper paving of country roads. And, most of the roads we've ridden so far actually have a shoulder, something we didn't see anywhere in England. The roads seem a bit wider here and there's more room to be off the road when a tractor trailer comes alongside.
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| Even the cows were taking it easy today. |
The day didn't end with our ride. Michelle, Jane, Gene and I ducked into a nearby laundromat to do a proper bit of clothes washing. Although sink washing of our daily bike clothes helps, we really need to get those all in for a good washing now and again.
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| Another hill climb. Another beautiful valley view. Rinse, Lather, Repeat. |
Jesse, who's been looking at the maps of our rides and wondering what sightseeing wonders are around us (he's already scored big on getting a shot of Stonehenge), felt badly that we weren't able to drive out to the Normandy Beaches that were used in the D-Day invasion. They were just too far. But, he wasn't about to be stopped in pursuing other landmarks and tonight was just such an example. Jesse, Jane, Michelle and I drove to Mont St. Michel, a mere 15 miles from our hotel and spent the evening walking around the town, visiting the Cathedral and having dinner in a local restaurant.
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| An unbelievable architectural accomplishment. |
Between the laundry and rushing to get to Mont St. Michel, I didn't get a chance to stretch or relax. And walking up all those steps was like climbing a couple of additional hills. Needless to say, my thighs were shot by the time we got back to our hotel in Fougères.
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| When we got there, the tide had just receded. It looks so amazing without the water surrounding it. |
Just as we were getting back to our car, having taken a tram to get onto the island, it started to sprinkle. A portent for tomorrow's ride.
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