The Fridays tour - Normandy 15th-22nd June

[ceepeebee]

Not in the supermarkets we went to, but we didn't have a car so didn't get to the Ocean off the motorway.... And not in the bars eiither.

Fair point, bars are usually just fizzy yellow stuff. If you spot a netto, I had a lovely surprise in one last week - rochefort for very cheap and a basque blonde called anosteke which was amazing.

 

[ceepeebee]

Well that just sounds wrong on second reading....

 

[dellzeqq]

That sounds to me like permission to drink LOADS of it.

desole, but non. One must only drink that which is required to aid the digestion and the study of L'Equipe

I'm absolutely amazed that Gordon has, somehow, by some freakish feat of self-restraint, not mentioned Madame.............................................................................

 

[Gordon P]

I'm absolutely amazed that Gordon has, somehow, by some freakish feat of self-restraint, not mentioned Madame.............................................................................

I'm unable to share those early morning intimacies when she received us wearing nothing but a light dusting of flour & a gold collar....

 

[dellzeqq]

Gordon! Did you have to mention the light dusting of flour???!!! Next thing you know it'll be the gently swelling croissants!

 

[redfalo]

Here's a first suggestion for a route from Caen to the Chateau, already including mmmmartin's very helpful advice on the approach to the chateau.
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=gddpgrrdbefgniar

It't 76 miles according to GPSies (in reality I would expect it to be closer to 80). I'm quite confident about the route apart from the part on the N13 between Saint Come du Mont and Valognes (approx. mile 51 to mile 67). It seems to be the straightest way, and apparently the N13 ceases to be a dual carriageway north of Saint Come du Mont, but traffic might be an issue. Alternatives would add some milage.

Any ideas by anyone?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I'm unable to share those early morning intimacies when she received us wearing nothing but a light dusting of flour & a gold collar....

Did you ask her to pass the casserole?

 

[dellzeqq]

Here's a first suggestion for a route from Caen to the Chateau, already including mmmmartin's very helpful advice on the approach to the chateau.
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=gddpgrrdbefgniar

It't 76 miles according to GPSies (in reality I would expect it to be closer to 80). I'm quite confident about the route apart from the part on the N13 between Saint Come du Mont and Valognes (approx. mile 51 to mile 67). It seems to be the straightest way, and apparently the N13 ceases to be a dual carriageway north of Saint Come du Mont, but traffic might be an issue. Alternatives would add some milage.

Any ideas by anyone?

the N13 is a nightmare road
this might be better http://goo.gl/maps/3wFFX

 

[StuAff]

If you are not arriving in Cherbourg on Saturday evening on the 1600 ferry from Portsmouth the recommended route to cycle from the ferry port to the Chateau is http://goo.gl/maps/RFL4T

Thanks Gordon. I'll do a version of that with bikehike and/or RWGPS some time.

Haven't forgotten about the Saturday morning ride from Pompey btw. Will aim to keep the hill to a minimum

 

[mmmmartin]

I spotted a few avenues vertes on the online Michelin map. I'm sure these were carefully recced.

We did look at a couple. The surfaces were red roadstone, not very crushed, all lumpy and bumpy and suitable only for mtb riders. Thin road tyres? Non! The one inside Cherbourg was nice tarmac and it may be that Dell will opt for us to use it for a few hundred yards as we exit the ferry port because it avoids A Huge Roundabout. You need to cross a railway line but must walk that bit. But by and large these old railway lines shown on the map were not good cycling surfaces. Understandable that they don't spend much money on them when the entire place is littered with empty roads with good surfaces. For example, on the ride from the chateau to the ferry on the last morning we were passed by two cars before we entered Cherbourg.

 

[mmmmartin]

I'm absolutely amazed that Gordon has, somehow, by some freakish feat of self-restraint, not mentioned Madame.............................................................................

I thought we were sworn to secrecy on the beauties of Madame? I expect the news will spread like wildfire among the more-redblooded Alpha Males of the party after the first trip to the boulangerie to pick up the morning croissants. Oops.



Particularly if she wears that cycling top Mice tried on in the bike shop.

 

[Gordon P]

that cycling top Mice tried on in the bike shop.

Ah, I remember it well....

 

[mmmmartin]

I seem to recall your name came up in that discussion.

 

[redfalo]

the N13 is a nightmare road
this might be better http://goo.gl/maps/3wFFX

Thanks, Simon!

 

[mmmmartin]

We were told (by the lady in a boulangerie in Valognes so she should know) that it was illegal to ride bikes on the red roads that were dual carriageways. So the N13 would be the equivalent of a motorway in the UK, at least in parts. Avoid. Even in the sections where it might be legal, there is no hard shoulder. We crossed it by a bridge sometimes getting to and from the chateau and it looks terrifying, with fast traffic. I reckon Dell would rather carry his bike along a muddy track while wading through puddles than ride on the N13.