We left Royan by the early ferry (0750) and headed south on a dedicated cycle route. I cycled this route 10 years ago on my way to Gibraltar and remembered it well - forested dune area gives you shade from the midday sun. We were heading for Lacanou Ocean, a holiday village on the ocean. On the way we passed through a number of small villages by the beach obviously frequented by folk from Bordeaux. Then it happened - a first for Gilly and I - a lycra clad cyclist on a high spec road bike entered our road ahead of us. Initially I paid no attention but I suddenly realised that I was gaining - I thought we could do this - I increased speed and came up behind him, he had seen us when he turned onto our road and presumable dismissed us as no threat. It came as a shock to him as I said' pardon mesuire, je passe sil vous plat' he eased over, I said YES to my self as Gilly eased past as well. I pedalled quite hard as we were on a slight uphill incline. The lycra clad was not amussed, he was on Gilly's tail trying to pass, Gilly being quicker than me up hills passed me and I pulled over so that lycra clad could not pass. He was breathing down my neck but he could not pass as we were on a cycle path with raised edges. We held him off for more than a kilometre and this makes it a genuine take out. Unfortunately John did not get passed but for while it was great fun for us Brits!!!
Lacanau Ocean Dist 81.16km.
We found a cycle map which showed a cycle path crossing the great expanse of nothingness to the south of Bordeaux so we continued south to the Arcachon Basin. This was more cycling on dedicated cycle path though forest. There are more cycle tourists on this route and it is interesting to exchange stories - mainly Fench and German. I always lie when the Germans ask me how far as they put us to shame but with the French we can hold our own!!.
We arrived in Biganos on the SE of the Acachon Basin in good form. Dist 63.82.
Then on Tuesday we set off on the Mois - Bazas cycle route heading east, south of Bordeaux. I guess Beeching had been out here as there are many disused railway lines, the one to Bazas was one such disued railway but has been beautifully restored as a 100km cycle path. We have much to learn from the French. A socialist country which does much for the average Joe and families- each town has a play park, and there are cyclepistes everywhere. We could do better in England!!!
After 60 odd kms we looked for accommodation which we found in Villandraut. No hotels but a Chambre D'Hotes - probably out of 19th century - lovely old couple who spoke no English but Gilly did well, the walls were crumbling, the electrics were a bit frightening, the plumbing left a lot to be desired but the breakfast was great. We went out for supper to the recommended resaurant to be greeted by a youngish lass who appeared to lack a sence of humour. It possibly did not help as we had consumed couple of bottles of very drinkable vin rose at a takeawy pizza place from plastic tumblers before we arrived. Despite a lack of welcome and smiley service the food was great.
Villandraut Dist 62.63.
Today the weather has held - wall to wall sunshibe about 25°C and very little wind. Another 15 km on the cycleway to Bazas and then Velo Vert to Castets en Dothe where the Canal du Gironne starts. I really cannot get over it, we have been on a cycle path since Royan - almost 300 km and we will be on one to way past Toulouse - Cameron get your diget from within you rectum and sort it out!!!!!!!
We are in Marmande, just off the cycleway to the north of the Gironne. Dist 65.78.
BUT LOOK AT THE ODO 1052.6 - we are official members of the 1000km club.
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