To Saint Quentin

August 18, 2023

Hills and more hills

It was misty when were ready to leave and it was to stay like that till late morning. This was a good thing really because once it lifted it got hot which would have made the constant hills more difficult. Things didn’t start off too well as I fell off the bike negotiating a curb. All it did however was to add to my collection of bumps and bruises. Komoot decided that the way it would like to take us out of town was on single unpaved paths beside a canal but we resisted it and took an easier more sensible way. Having negotiated that we came to a wonderful cycleway running right along the middle of the road in a kind of park. This went on for several kilometres and was to take us out of town. Once out of town we were beside a long straight reasonably busy road but it was no trouble as it had a good cycleway beside it. The fog meant we could see little but we were riding through an extensive farming area.

There was a path here somewhere but we didn’t like the look of it either

We left this road and turned into smaller ones and the hills started and were to stay with us until almost here. This is beautiful rolling countryside with the tiny largely service free towns in the valleys and the farms on the hills. It was constant up and down and I felt for Ken as my electricity evens things out. At one stage we joined the Saint Quentin canal and had a brief respite for a short while. We knew when we couldnt go any higher when we were up with the wind turbines

This is part of the wall of an old Abbey

What a surprise to find a vineyard in this part of France

The viticulturer in Ken had to examine the grapes. They are a long way from veraison

We found an openPMU just round the corner - the coffee tasted great

L thought this little house was very cute

A memorial to the French from Raincourt who were killed in WW1. it was also our lunch stop

We were lead down from the heights and for about the last 6 or 7 km we were along the canal we had briefly seen earlier. There is a lot of weed in the Canal and it looks particularly prominent in the locks. Our friend and expert in all things French waterways tells us there is also a lot of weed in the Burgandy Canals and a lot of effort is being made to clear it

Le Picardy Hotel when we get to it is really fantastic. They took care of bikes and helped us with luggage. The room is amazing, we are rejuvenating and I am sure dinner will be delicious

Today's ride: 50 km (31 miles)
Total: 879 km (546 miles)

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Jill BrinsleyOh boy, Trish! The fall is not a fun way to start. You sound very stoic about it but it does make things a bit wobbly for a while ( especially the pride). Hope you fully recovered. Rest up and enjoy the food!
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8 months ago

Carolyn van HoeveNo more falling off your bike Tricia! So glad you came away unscathed again. Enjoy your lovely accommodation.
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8 months ago