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Camping Espèrance then, go on then, post a pic of Fort Bayard if the lens on you phone camera is up to it.
Yes
Ill have a go once face stuffed and tent up
Managed to put the tent up. Bread and croissants ordered for the morning. Time for a walk on the beach at dusk. This is a tough one. Its when i miss julie so much is walking on the beach
If you get the chance visit Brouage. A wee walled village-lots of history. And if you like oysters you are approaching the right area!
Courage mon brave.
Ouch
I think this may be fort boyard. My best guess anyway
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Ffs posting pics
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Effing black dot in the centre if the pic works this time
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I’ve really enjoyed this TJ and all the comments it’s attracted.
That's it. 🙂 There are Vauban fortifications all the way around that coastline. Some reading to send you to sleep:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_on_Rochefort
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Basque_Roads
I rode part of the eurovelo 4 round Normandy today and I now understand why you wanted to do shortcuts. It was great if you just wanted a bimble with the family but less fun if you wanted to get somewhere
On the section TJ is riding at the moment it's worth staying on the cycle route IMO, Leffeboy, it takes you past many places of interest and you get great sea/landscapes. However it must be more than double the distance of the shortest route between La Rochelle and Royan. When I did it I had the attitude that the route was what I was there for and it was a pity to leave it it and get buzzed by cars along routes départementales. However, other sections were just winding through pine forests with no views, TJ has already nipped past some of those when he cut the corner from Nantes to the coast.
Agree that getting buzzed isn't fun and some of the coastal stuff was nice but it did feel like we were being kept off of the roads by taking every path almost up to the road then away again and then back.
A few years back I rode quite a bit of what you are about to do, but over two trips. I did the eurovelo route, but started from Lourdes (which was an experience). Also from Santiago to Biarritz. Really enjoyed the region you’ve just passed through. The section from Biarritz to Bilbao was fantastic though, loved that.
If you decide to keep going in Spain you’ll pass the largest sea cliff nesting colony of vultures in Europe - you’ll know when you are there as they fly just above your head in considerable numbers. I followed the northern most Camino route along the Spanish coast. Lovely people, awesome food and stupidly cheap - had a 3 course dinner, with a full bottle if red, for 12 euros on one camp site (possibly Santandaer)
I’ve really enjoyed this TJ and all the comments it’s attracted.
Its definitely one of the better threads to read (aside from when I was running low on food and saw some nice photos of grub).
The occasional tjs recovery ride and weird nutters on campsites (to paraphrase slightly) side by side has also been funny.
Ah TJ you are just down the coast from where the good family kimbers are staying at St Hilaire de Riez !
So close
Tonight's sunset was fantastic
Shame to miss you Kimbers
Morning coffee on tbe beach
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Someone asked about solar powered ebikes. There is one on site. Huge 3 wheel trailer with solar panels
This is a tough one. Its when i miss julie so much is walking on the beach
If you miss her she's still there! She won't be leaving you. Take care.
This mornings croissants are still warm
Yummy
I was talking to the chap with the solar e bike. The huge trailer is also a stage. He is doing electronic music gigs with it as well. All from the solar panels. He has overrun brakes. Regeneration braking and an auto mode using a strain gauge on the tow hitch. 200kg trailer
The solar trailer needs to be in the sunshine 😂.
Wouldn't want to tow it up any long or steep hills.
The solar trailer needs to be in the sunshine
😂 He’s missed a trick there!
In Marennes tonight and gonna have at least one day off the bike here
Lovely site with swimming pool chips and beer along with a special corner for cyclists that is cheap.
The "special corner"...are you sure it's for all cyclists?
😉
Marennes? I had a brilliant long summer on my gap year working on a campsite in Marennes a couple of decades ago. Wonderful part of the world.
Do try and explore Bordeaux if you get the chance!
Lolz at Matt
I think i have plenty of time to get to Spain now s im gonna check details and see what is what. Might be able to afford a few days off.
Wot, no pic of the pont transbordeur?
Make the most of the good weather tomorrow, it looks like it will be stormy for a few days. It's a deluge right now in Pau.
I have been so baked in the sun for so long some rain wouldnot go amiss.
I took a strava line and missed the transporter bridge. Lovely old railway and canal side this afternoon.
Gonna meet up with me edukator? Come ride a day or two with me? I might even come in from the coast a bit.😀😎
I'm double jealous of the ride and beer today - I'm feeling properly ill....
I'm back from my Southern Road trip but it’s nothing compared to yours TJ.
Will you be back in Edinburgh mid-September?
I'm watching your progress with interest, TJ. There's a good chance I'll be free and the sun will be shining by the end of the week. I can train and bike to intersect your route in a few hours pretty much anywhere from Bordeaux on. There's a TER which stops at regular intervals. The only doubt is whether I'll be in any state to get on a bike after the building work I'm doing this week.
From Royan the EV1 is close to but rarely on the coast, it runs through pine forests behind the dunes. I find it bumpy and demoralising. There are alternatives further inland or a long way inland. There's a railway trail into Bordeaux from Lacanau if you want to visit Bordeaux as others have suggested but don't fancy the vélo route down the right bank of the Garonne from Royan. There are more cycles routes than on the weserradweg map in Gironde:
I mentioned the compostelle bike route along the Spanish north coast. This one is doable on a touring bike, it will probably mean some pushing but no carrying.
https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-cicloturismo/camino-del-norte-en-bici-irun-santiago-102429314
A bientôt. 😉
Mrvovershhot. Probably end sept.
Edukator. We shall see what happens. I need a ponder about routes. Im windering about the areas that had fires as well
The section around the Teste de Buch is closed but you can avoid it by going through Sanguinet, which you'd have probably done anyhow given your use of Strava lines. 😉
The closed section:
https://www.lavelodyssee.com/actualites/incendies-sur-la-velodyssee
Loving this thread. Would love to do something like this one day, maybe when the kids have left home....