Brittany journal - day 9

1/6 - Day 9 – miles cycled = 40, total so far 265

I woke to a very misty morning after another peaceful night.  Had a lie in, tea, croissant and yoghurt in my sleeping bag.  Mike and Chris were headed towards the coast like me but were aiming for further east so I said my goodbyes and was up and my may by 9.30.  There was a chill in the air for the first time on the trip and so I needed to break out my jacket for the first half hour – up until now it had been 100% short sleeves.

I rode to Hillion on the coast to check out the cliff top campsites, it was great to see the sea.  The site looked excellent but I had only cycled 17 miles so decided to head further along the coast to see what I could find.  I arrived in Pleneuf Val Andre and found a nice campsite (8 euros).  

Val Andre is a lovely place.  Its rather like Llandudno only better.  Nice harbor, sweeping promenade, fine sand and a picturesque stone pier.  I cycled to the end of the pier and sat in the sun for an hour watching the fishermen catch fresh air.

After a good ride and walk around to explore I went to a pizzeria for a Calzone and a couple of beers.  

I found a rip in my tent when I got back to the campsite.  After examination, I think it was caused when the campsite owner cut the grass around my tent.  I think his mower must have thrown up a stick that took a glancing blow on the side of my tent causing a 4 inch tear.  I repaired temporarily it with the ever useful gaffer tape.

Thinking back to todays ride.  I tackled a very long steep hill with white painted names and words of encouragement on the tarmac as seen in the Tour de France.  I was determined to ride up it and not get off and push, thinking that if people raced up it then I should be able to crawl up it.  I succeeded.  I feel certain that there is no way I would have got up it with a full load prior to this tour.  I’m definitely getting more ‘cycle fit’ as I go along.  Also, I have been ache and pain free so far too – lets hope this continues.

I cycled 40 miles today.