68 miles ridden – 3500 feet climbed – temperature 22C

** to be updated with pictures – stay tuned!!

The weather for the whole of Friday including our ferry crossing and the twilight hours in Ouistreham was fabulous. What could go wrong?

We all gathered for the first time in the car park of the IBIS suites. Everyone was excited, there was some brightness in the sky, bags were sorted. All we needed to do was get moving. And we did – just as it started to drizzle.

Terry and Julie at our first tea stop – it hadn’t rained……

The first 35 miles or so was on bike paths either by the river or on an old railway path. The drizzle abated and we dared to think positively which worked well until about 1 mile before lunch when the heavens opened. Surely the shower would pass while we ate our pork loin with rice in a mushroom sauce. No, it got worse and despite a natural inclination to just stay there we eventually had to leave so off we went into the pouring rain and an afternoon of climbing – almost all the 3500 feet was in the rain.

Our second tea stop – British for SAG stop – was at the top of a hill and the rain stopped just as we arrived. Being wet, muddy, cold, and walking in puddles of rain soaked shoes we were obviously elated and sort of happy/relieved/resigned………

As we arrived in Bagnoles de l’Orne as the clouds opened and torrential rain cascaded down all roads and buildings.

Our room was air-conditioned and a bit cool for washing and drying Lycra but after dinner and alcohol we discovered that the radiator in the bathroom was nice and warm. Sue was delighted that she would be able to wear the same clothing 2 days in a row.

We have an interesting group of inter-linked riders, everyone seems to know someone from another ride they have done. Everyone was cheery except those who had rental bikes…..always brig your own if you possibly can!

Tomorrow will be a rainy day….