The Fridays Tour de Normandie 2015

[Flying Dodo]

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Avenue+du+Président+Kennedy/D110&daddr=49.5079203,0.6077575+to:49.5168849,0.6620662+to:49.53879,0.6970581+to:49.553142,0.7261571+to:Yvetot,+France&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=49.522255,0.645533&spn=0.080121,0.211058&sll=49.500186,0.573606&sspn=0.080158,0.211058&geocode=FToi8wId4Z4IAA;FVBu8wIdDUYJACmLafrjt1DgRzFPzRQ6GZQ5TA;FVSR8wIdMhoKACkp3BcveFfgRzGsJ-3TRtnK7w;Febm8wId4qIKACnbmU_4DljgRzGzJpFiQmK8Ag;FfYe9AIdjRQLACnXxf1sx_fgRzGy4QKtKeUEtw;FXMb9QIdDIYLACn7AxuDMfTgRzGTl-Gu2XoGfA&oq=no&t=h&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=14&via=1,2,3,4&z=14

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Avenue+du+Président+Kennedy/D110&daddr=49.5197701,0.5811439+to:49.5504598,0.5993074+to:49.5902989,0.6610202+to:Yvetot,+France&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=49.544147,0.604591&spn=0.080253,0.211058&sll=49.547823,0.663986&sspn=0.160159,0.422115&geocode=FToi8wId4Z4IAA;FZqc8wIdF94IACnjDeDkhFDgRzHrtLFcikioug;FXsU9AIdCyUJACn3iM2XPlrgRzEU3B6JCG6wZw;FRqw9AIdHBYKACkVt42aIFngRzGV7fE1rrCUCA;FXMb9QIdDIYLACn7AxuDMfTgRzGTl-Gu2XoGfA&oq=no&mra=dvme&mrsp=2&sz=13&via=1,2,3&t=m&z=14

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Avenue+du+Président+Kennedy/D110&daddr=49.5104301,0.5380886+to:49.5348619,0.55067+to:49.5576197,0.6001105+to:49.5902989,0.6610202+to:Yvetot,+France&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sll=49.515569,0.583477&sspn=0.080132,0.211058&geocode=FToi8wId4Z4IAA;FR548wId6DUIACkxOK3gGVDgRzEUVAr-FznqNg;FY3X8wIdDmcIACmNhht-mFrgRzEEyumkF8BolQ;FXMw9AIdLigJACnZLAv_OVrgRzFvIXfxZ0WI4Q;FRqw9AIdHBYKACkVt42aIFngRzGV7fE1rrCUCA;FXMb9QIdDIYLACn7AxuDMfTgRzGTl-Gu2XoGfA&oq=no&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=14&via=1,2,3,4&t=m&z=14

I'd be grateful if somebody could work out the elevations of these three alternatives......

The recce was a success. We saw wonderful things. We're 95% there on the route and the stops. But it was very, very cold.

Route 1 = 15.5.miles with 1,1981 ft climbing & 730 ft descending with a maximum gradient of 10.9%
Route 2 = 14.3 miles with 849 ft climbing & 396 ft descending and a maximum gradient of 8.9%
Route 3 = 16.4 miles with 904 ft climbing & 450 ft descending with a maximum gradient of 4.1%

Route 1 had more of a steeper climb nearer the start and then generally running along, whilst Route 2 had a more gentle climb.
Route 3 had more little ups & downs generally.

I'd go for Route 2 (although Route 1 does go very close to a Rue Kinkerville which sounds interesting)!

 

[dellzeqq]

thankyou. We rode the first route yesterday. It was pretty, but there was, as you point out, a deal of climbing. The run in to Yvetot on the D131 was no fun.

Route 3 is almost as pretty as Route 1. D110 on Route 2 might be unpleasant.

The entire afternoon stretch, from Yvetot to Dieppe, was, bar about a mile, a delight, freezing headwind notwithstanding. Once I cut out the short stretch of the D925 on the outskirts of Dieppe, it will be an absolute winner. Which is not to say that the morning was without charm - the Marais Vernier on the southwestern bank of the Seine was like a lost land, ringed by an ancient caldera. Seen through iced up specs.

Here, by way of a tease, is the first twenty miles of the third day. Bear in mind that the exit from Honfleur took three goes to get right - our first attempt, last summer, took us along a disastrous cycle path by the river.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Honfleur,+France&daddr=49.4122308,0.2465606+to:49.4081106,0.2807873+to:49.4254191,0.3330457+to:49.4088071,0.4400943+to:49.4388251,0.491311+to:Quai+de+Seine/D103&hl=en&ll=49.411643,0.287876&spn=0.030993,0.084543&sll=49.465893,0.504684&sspn=0.247668,0.676346&geocode=FQoS8gIdLo8DACnFXQ_jpTPgRzHw6rxPSBQMBA;FYb48QIdIMMDACmFL9zamzPgRzFgy1hkCiL2dA;FW7o8QId00gEACmh0-WcYTTgRzE4_KT9ybgU-w;FQss8gId9RQFACkHaQbJlDXgRzEXh7TfdbSmXQ;FSfr8QIdHrcGACkjGD31fkzgRzEFEmSjm4NVIA;FWlg8gIdL38HACnZ0aLu0E3gRzEbEEZIUcnC9A;FZ_a8gIduxYIAA&oq=notre+da&doflg=ptm&mra=luc&via=1,2,3,4,5&t=m&z=14

 

[redfalo]

So what will you do on the next 3 recces?

 

[frank9755]

If you were looking to add to a collection of 'disastrous cyclepaths by rivers', I could recommend the route that Uta and I took to head south out of Paris last May.

Essentially, within a few hundred metres of the centre of Paris, a shanty town of caravans and tents has formed along the bank of the Seine, just after the Marne confluence. Hundreds of people are living along there in what seem to be pretty unsanitary conditions. It was quite a shock to see it. It was interesting from an economic and sociological point of view, but it was not pretty.

 

[frank9755]

Here, by way of a tease, is the first twenty miles of the third day. Bear in mind that the exit from Honfleur took three goes to get right - our first attempt, last summer, took us along a disastrous cycle path by the river.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Honfleur,+France&daddr=49.4122308,0.2465606+to:49.4081106,0.2807873+to:49.4254191,0.3330457+to:49.4088071,0.4400943+to:49.4388251,0.491311+to:Quai+de+Seine/D103&hl=en&ll=49.411643,0.287876&spn=0.030993,0.084543&sll=49.465893,0.504684&sspn=0.247668,0.676346&geocode=FQoS8gIdLo8DACnFXQ_jpTPgRzHw6rxPSBQMBA;FYb48QIdIMMDACmFL9zamzPgRzFgy1hkCiL2dA;FW7o8QId00gEACmh0-WcYTTgRzE4_KT9ybgU-w;FQss8gId9RQFACkHaQbJlDXgRzEXh7TfdbSmXQ;FSfr8QIdHrcGACkjGD31fkzgRzEFEmSjm4NVIA;FWlg8gIdL38HACnZ0aLu0E3gRzEbEEZIUcnC9A;FZ_a8gIduxYIAA&oq=notre+da&doflg=ptm&mra=luc&via=1,2,3,4,5&t=m&z=14

Looks like there is a cunning little ferry here to take us across the Seine!

 

[StuAff]

As we're talking routes, has anyone got recommendations on the best way into Rouen? @StuartG's name has been mentioned.

 

[StuAff]

From?

Honfleur starting point, would probably ride with everyone else and turn south at a convenient point.

@StuartG's route Rouen to Dieppe is nice. You could reverse that, from wherever we intersect maybe.

 

[StuAff]

It is identifying the convenient point that is the key thing.

Indeed.

 

[StuartG]

@StuAff The route into Rouen from the north is an almost vertical descent - whichever route. The right bank of the Seine is basically a cliff. (The left is flat).

My route from Dieppe follows the river valley through Auffay and crosses the D929 at St-Victor- l'Abbaye. This the gentle ridge that divides the coastal area from the interior. I'll be packing a Michelin if you need to know more.

 

[Aperitif]

If you were looking to add to a collection of 'disastrous cyclepaths by rivers', I could recommend the route that Uta and I took to head south out of Paris last May.

Essentially, within a few hundred metres of the centre of Paris, a shanty town of caravans and tents has formed along the bank of the Seine, just after the Marne confluence. Hundreds of people are living along there in what seem to be pretty unsanitary conditions. It was quite a shock to see it. It was interesting from an economic and sociological point of view, but it was not pretty.

Such nice language deserves a picture, Frank. An early recce by another turner...

After Joseph Mallord William TurnerConfluence of the Seine and Marne 1835

 

[StuAff]

@StuAff The route into Rouen from the north is an almost vertical descent - whichever route. The right bank of the Seine is basically a cliff. (The left is flat).

My route from Dieppe follows the river valley through Auffay and crosses the D929 at St-Victor- l'Abbaye. This the gentle ridge that divides the coastal area from the interior. I'll be packing a Michelin if you need to know more.

Having had a look, I'll be going another way altogether- Auffay and St-Victor are way off course for me. Thanks anyway.

Thinking Yvetot is the best spot to turn south, various options from there.

 

[rvw]

That reminds me - @rvw - you have the cheque book!

Cheque now written, and will be in the post this morning!

 

[dellzeqq]

tuning southeast from Yvetot is kind of daft - the roads are tough and you miss the best bit of the entire three day trip. You could keep with us along the D55 and then turn southeast on the D2, and then go down the D927, which is not as bad as the number suggests, but, actually, Stu, your best bet is to stick with us, get to Dieppe and take a cheap fast train to Rouen.

 

[StuAff]

tuning southeast from Yvetot is kind of daft - the roads are tough and you miss the best bit of the entire three day trip. You could keep with us along the D55 and then turn southeast on the D2, and then go down the D927, which is not as bad as the number suggests, but, actually, Stu, your best bet is to stick with us, get to Dieppe and take a cheap fast train to Rouen.

Might do that- fare's a tenner. Hotel is south of the river but it's only a mile from the Gare Rive Droite anyway.

 

[dellzeqq]

Now......we arrived in Ouistreham early, thanks to a stiff northerly that blew the boat across the Channel. If you're taking the Caen ferry - have a care riding off the ramp. The cyclepath to the left hand side gives out on a blind bend, and you're much better off getting on to the carriageway before ramp descends.

Anyroadup - we found coffee and croissants at the charming La Marine, which, happy to relate, is bang on our route, 24 easy miles from our start in Bayeux, so I'll be writing to the patron to arrange a midmorning coffee stop. Then a wiggle, a waggle and we were on the bike path heading for the Pegasus bridge. Susie and I had discarded the D513 to Cabourg after our first trip last year, so we schlepped down the D233, took a right on to another cycle path and then wandered through the not-quite BCBG wilderness of Cabourg before turning left to Houlgate. Which is charmant, and an ideal spot for lunch. Then...up a hill. A steep hill. Ladies and Gentlemen, I walked. Then again, it's only a few hundred yards, and, rather than slog up the D513 for two miles, one gains, in those few hundred yards, most of the height needed to get to the descent in to Deauville, which is kind of the scuzzy end of Cabourg, succeeded by Trouville which in no way resembles the sweet fishing village painted so wonderfully by Boudin. However....it does have a great number of bars by the marina, and we'll stop for a coffee before........tanking up another hill, a new one, a hill of my own invention, that, once again, gets us off the D513. Now, before you protest....I'm not going to give anything away, but I'm telling you that even if you walk it, the effort is worthwhile.

Down to Honfleur, along a road closed by engineering works, and, therefore devoid of traffic. And, once again, we were completely charmed by this small town - sure, it's swarming with tourists, but that's because it's beautiful. Au Relais de Cyclistes being full we repaired to something swanky and got trashed. On our trip in May we'll go the Relais or a charming bar on the waterfront.

I'm changing the meeting point for Monday's ride to the forecourt of the Ibis. Quite a few of you are staying there, and, for those who are not, it's easy to find. It's also convenient for our exit from Honfleur, which (see above) is now as sweet as.

So that's our second day (or the latter part of it).......e-mail this weekend to all, with a proper run-down of the route, the stops (both food and comfort) and some highlights.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Rue+Genas+Duhomme&daddr=49.2813631,-0.6975901+to:49.2945792,-0.6436112+to:49.3142706,-0.560327+to:49.3162107,-0.5518325+to:49.318058,-0.5493841+to:49.3407212,-0.5203035+to:49.334406,-0.4107069+to:49.332686,-0.397544+to:49.3302815,-0.3886642+to:49.3107332,-0.3348748+to:Place+du+Général+de+Gaulle/D84&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sll=49.291993,-0.326843&sspn=0.160996,0.3689&geocode=FZPq7wIdP0L1_w;FVP57wIdClv1_ylzTIRDVVMKSDEEBzv1Xp8hAg;FfMs8AId5S32_ykZGxZkZVQKSDEqG2mx1BdTbA;Fd558AIdOXP3_ymL7kC8BFcKSDEgOiju0fledQ;FXKB8AIdaJT3_ykLYW2KDlcKSDHoPX5GqhB2pA;FaqI8AId-J33_ym9TGl3DFcKSDF7UEohu_-J8Q;FTHh8AIdkQ_4_ynJD08XIVgKSDF2P-HE16dZpA;FYbI8AIdrrv5_ykLEqx4F18KSDGGj-noc0wrpw;Fc7B8AIdGO_5_ylNQnzfBV8KSDEmCwWvfkI1Xg;FWm48AIdyBH6_ylb1JtuqV8KSDGR_2TvAMUIzA;FQ1s8AId5uP6_ynZcKX6kGAKSDHX-zQe_2yJMQ;FWvx7wId0iz8_w&oq=ou&doflg=ptm&mra=dme&mrsp=11&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10&t=m&z=13

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sadd...2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13&t=m&z=14&lci=bike