Grand Routing Officer Upsum
Weather held, still a following wind. Laval exited, no probs. In fact the 9.30 rendezvous was made at 9.29, so we claim a first for a Fridays ride: earliness.
River side cycle path a bit gravelly so as we left it for the roads - largely deserted - the Mandatory Faffage was replaced wirh a Mandatory Tyre Check but this did not prevent a couple of punctures later.
Temperature constantly 25, sunny.
Lunch was a leisurely affair, at least for us if not for the poor overworked chef, the woman in charge of Le Bistro in Chateau Gontier, and a couple of locals roped in to help. Four courses, €14 - say no more. Inc wine, to boot. We set off slowly after that.
Uneventful riding through the normal beautiful French countryside on deserted roads in sunshine, so not much to report really. A visitation led to some impromptu sunbathing and people were evidently enjoying themselves: this will have to stop, obvs.
As we approached Death Bridge I found myself
A) wanting my mum and
B) wishing a gnarly old buzzard such as
@Gordon P was on the ride.
However, with
@Mice, eddie, mark,
@StuAff sent on as advance party and
@Andrew Br in front as the Responsible Adult with helen s and
@User being calm at the back, the peloton formed up, blocked the road and despite me, resplendent in Hi Viz Gilet in the middle of the road, three rear lights flashing and generally bellowing instructions at the poor riders like a mother hen on acid, we somehow survived the anger of the two miles queue of traffic and made it across Death Bridge and Death Roundabout to the cycle path on the other side. It was a magnificent sight. The Friday peeps truly are a great bunch: nerves were kept. Grace under pressure, you can't beat it.
This made a welcome change from the recce, when we missed the turning and rode on to the dual carriageway, only gaining the cycle path by dragging the bikes through a hedge and over a ditch, into which I fell. Oh how we laughed!
Signing off now, I'm bushed.
Every breath I ever took on this earth has been preparing me for this trip. Those abed in England will one day curse themselves that they were not with us on this ride.