Armchair Touring Cyclist ...... France 2015

Day 09: Saturday 13th June 2015 - La Rochelle

Today's Ks': 0 Total for Trip: 858.14 ks'

After a hard day yesterday, I didn't wake until ten o'clock and I decided, after talking to a few friends, back home, that I'd be better to take two days off and get bike sorted (new tyres, tubes and nuts and bolts tightened). Luckily there was someone in reception so I booked room for the second night.

Returning to my room, I ended up falling back asleep until late in the afternoon. Getting up and I walked to the city centre, to find out about a bike shop, only to be told in the tourist office that there was one on the outskirts but that I wouldn't make in in time today and that they'll be closed on the Sunday and Monday :-(

No point worrying about it now, so I took a stroll around on what is a beautiful city and a most for people, at least once. The marina is just massive and magnificent with all sizes of yachts on offer, something for everyone.

Walking around the old town, I stooped in a little English café....called Little London, where I had a nice chat with the owner, who was now living here with his French girlfriend and two kids......the cheesecake was delicious......or so I heard haha :-)

In the port area I spotted a couple who were touring, and I approached them for a chat. It turned out they were from Ireland, he was Irish and she was Polish a lovely couple from Dublin. They had hired the bikes and were cycling around for a week. They had done this before and had found it easier hiring the bikes and panniers.....don't know if that would be for me, but it's another option.

Here's a quick video of the port area

I walked back to hotel and lazed for the evening after that.

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Day 10: Sunday 14th June 2015 - La Rochelle

Today's Ks': 0 Total for Trip: 858.14 ks'

it is raining....mightn't look it :-)

Unfortunately the weather changed and it was raining so didn't get to go anywhere today.

Again, after talking to friends I decided to stay another night and hop on train to make up the distance on the Monday and look for a bike shop on the Tuesday.

The only things I did today, other than rest, was to dry out my tent and do my washing.

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Day 11: Monday 15th June 2015 - La Rochelle to Bayonne

Today's Ks': 4.5 Total for Trip: 862.64 ks'

Rising early and getting sorted I cycled in to the old town and then looked for the train station. My back tyre was soft but it got me to the station. It was around 07:30 and unfortunately there was no train until 11:00. Ticket office opened at 08:00 and I paid my ticket, €54, but it was a four hour plus journey.

train to Bordeaux

Eventually the time came around and I boarded the train, which wasn't packed but on the change over in Bordeaux, I nearly didn't get on with bike as it was packed......but I squeezed the bike in.

By the time I arrived in Bayonne the back tyre was flat, so I had to walk over 5k pushing the bike and what made it awkward is that the tyre kept coming off, so I had to walk real slow.

Luckily about a kilometre from the hotel, there was a Decathlon store that was open and they fix bicycles.

With my one word French I managed to explain to the guy what I needed and was eventually sorted, before making my way to the hotel. This hotel stay was unplanned but as I had to get the bike sorted I booked it before I left La Rochelle. It was after six by now, so I got something to eat and that was my day.
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Day 12: Tuesday 16th June 2015 - Bayonne

Today's Ks': 5.24 Total for Trip: 867.88 ks'

bathroom full of wet gear

Today was my planned stay in Bayonne and as I was ahead of schedule by taking train I decided I'd pack up bike and drop gear to the hotel Id be staying in tonight and then head off on bike to Biaritz.

However, the weather again had other ideas.......it was lashing down. In fact, by the time I reached the other hotel, only 5.24 k away, I was absolutely soaked and there was a puddle around me in the reception area. They let me in to my room early where I tried to dry my clothes and gear out

After lunch I went to take a walk but only made it two blocks before turning back as I was just getting too wet. The ironic thing was, back home the weather was fantastic.....as I was been reminded by my so called friends :-)