Ussel to Mauriac
Four preconceptions of the journey
- the route through the gorge of Dordogne would be very taxing
- the weather would be hot
- the water at the hotel was so awful that our morning tea thermos would be undrinkable
- Mauriac being built on the side of an ancient volcano ( think Taranaki) would make it a steep climb at the end.
Four facts about the journey
- there were climbs but not too bad and the descents were long, long, long and fantastic
- it was overcast and cool, almost too cool on the longest descent
- the tea tasted fine with the 4 sugar lumps I had pocketed at breakfast!
- nothing like Mt Taranaki
Mauriac to Aurillac
It was a clear blue sky today. We were soon in pretty country. Wonderful down hill and grunting uphill (me).
My leader doesn't even break into a sweat. Lots of trees, steep paddocks and cattle. Here they have bells on so riding along you hear them, all different tones. In Mauriac yesterday we saw a shop which sold only cow bells. All sizes. I wonder if there is a bovine hierarchy ? 'My bell is bigger than your bell'.
I will leave Willem to describe the rest of the ride. I will just say that by lunch time I was
'afgeknoedeld'! That is a Dutch word and more polite than many I could use in English.
It was a nice surprise to get here to our hotel by 3pm.
Aurillac
I made a big decision overnight. Yesterday's big hill was hard though I made it and recovered well. However I am now concerned about being on a road somewhere in the mountains and not able to cope if we get several like that in a day. When we started this journey the idea was to have folding bikes so that if I wanted to, we could get a train or hire a car. We are now in a town with both a train
station and rental cars and the temptation to call it a day is too much. We are disappointed but am sure it is the right thing to do.
The experience has been fantastic. I have challenged my body more than ever before in it's 67 years. Willem has been great, taking on a novice biker, coaching me along and supporting my decision to stop.
1 comment:
Hope you have cracked the champagne. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENT. Cyclists die on those mountains coming DOWN so so pleased you have resorted to 4 wheels.!! Enjoy the rest of your ride. Look forward now to your homecoming . Janey xx
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