Up (and down) to another end.

August 1, 2019

As I write this in Camaret sur Mer the sun is shining. Indeed it was shining when I got up this morning in Douarnenez and as I left. But the skies became overcast by mid morning to the surprise of no one, and the air was generally cool all day. I coasted out of the hotel to the harbor road for one last look.

Island in the harbor mouth at Douarnenez.

The village of Treboul across the harbor.

Climbing out of the town was difficult. The road to Locronan is on a ten percent gradient. I ground out the climb, and continued on through rolling country until the turn for Ploevan, where I stopped for coffee. I rode to St. Nic where there was an old church in the grey Breton style.

The road to St. Nic was not too difficult, but it eventually rejoined a main traffic artery which was too nerve-wracking. I left it at Telgruc, which put me on a descent toward the coast. This meant that I would have to climb out again, but it wasn’t as steep as the morning climb. Winding back roads got me to a beach near Crozon, where there was a crêperie and I decided to stop for lunch.

Lunch over, I was faced with the day’s biggest challenge. A sixteen percent grade into the town of Crozon. Ouch! I just put my head down and ground it out in my smallest Gear.

The rest of the ride to Camaret was anticlimactic. One more descent into town, and into my hotel on the waterfront. I took na walk around the port after the usual ablutions. The sun reminded me that I needed a hat to keep my scalp from getting sunburned, so I got a cheap in the local supermarket.

Selfie with guard tower in the background.

Where old boats go to die. The fishing industry here has really suffered from over-exploitation of the local stocks.

The fisherman’s chapel on the seaside. Built to withstand the weather, which must be awful in the winter from the look of it.

Supper was fish soup, grilled sardines, and far Breton, a local plum flan, for dessert.

Today's ride: 62 km (39 miles)
Total: 196 km (122 miles)

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