GUINGAMP RETURN - 05-OCT

Today is the last riding day of our tour with Kathy and Roy. Because we extended the traditional route offered by Cyclomundo this put our last location farther away from the starting pointing. Their published route was longer than we preferred so I devised a more direct path not knowing how congested these roads would be. It turned out to be only 32+ miles but almost 2400 feet of climbing, including a short segment in the wrong direction. By sheer luck most of the miles were along tree covered forest roads or through rolling farmland. A few of the grades exceeded our comfort zone and required short walks to the top of the hill. For Kathy and Roy on E-bikes it was easy peeziy. 

France is a cycling centric country where bikes adorn the side of the roads or overhead wires. Many towns are decked out from their inclusion in the Tour de France in years past. 

These cows were secured in this locked gate but not sure its purpose. Maybe getting ready for transport to the meat factory or relocation to greener pastures.  

Nothing like a selfie with our newly found friends in the background. 

Back at our hotel in Guingamp we had to take photo of this horse sculpture ...

which serves as the reception desk. Very funky. 

This deer sculpture adorned the local car park and a vital landmark to assure us we had reached our destination. Under the legs, a quick left, and voila we are at the hotel. Truly the end of the road.  

Back to the Italian restaurant for our last dinner together on this trip. Great way to end but sure that our foursome will be enjoying many more meals in the future. 

 

LOCQUIREC - 03-OCT & 04-OCT

This post covers our transition from Perros to Locquirec. This add-on to the basic Britany tour included some challenging climbs and uncharted roads not routinely road tested. We rose to the challenge and managed to arrive tired but exhilarated. The reward was a lovely seaside hotel with the best views and accommodations. Not many photos to distract us from the task at hand. 

Another church at the top of the hill.

Not bad for a small obscure hamlet. They built these to last.  

A ancient windmill that was probably decommissioned long ago. 

The challenging aspect of this ride was many up and over climbs and descents revealing impressive structures along he cliffs. 

Our reward was arriving to this majestic resort. 

Very old world.

With impressive façade (French for facade) facing the bay. 

The view from our balcony toward the bay at low tide. 

The nighttime view was more impressive. 

The eastern view delivered a beautiful sunrise.

Could not resist capturing the moment.

Including the turret and waving flag cast against the sunrise. 

By far my most favorite choice - moules and frites. Going to miss them as much as the baguettes and pastries. 

The offshore rock formations appear and disappear with the changing tides. Some are only accessible when the low tides cooperate.

The beach along the bay. 

Kathy and Roy

A blank wall decorated to look like a scene from years ago.

Kim explored the turret in daylight. 

We walked past these formations but decided that rock scrambling was not a good idea since we still had our return bike ride ahead.  

Seaside vistas are magical any time of the day. 

The houses overlooking the cliffs were magnificent to look at but would not want to pay for the utilities and maintenance. Renting beats owning. 

The tide prevented us from exploring this temporary island. Still worth seeing from afar. 

 

PERROS - 01-OCT & 02-OCT

Oct 1 was a transition day from Treguier to Perros along the coast and around the point along the English channel. It took us up and over and down and up again with some of the most challenging climbs. According to our riding track we climbed a 14.5% grade. 

This sign says it all. Treguier has churches, castles, forests, and surf.

You have heard of the leaning tower in Pisa. This is a leaning steeple, which like Pisa survived when many others succumbed to the forces of gravity. 

The shorelines made for a pleasant view and rewarding flat road. Unfortunately going from one bay to the next required tiring up and overs. 

Stopping for a rest is always welcome, and a photo is a good excuse. 

Don't be fooled by the smiles. Grimaces were more plentiful. 

Our destination could not have come sooner, especially when we realized we had one more hill to get to the hotel. 

This old seaside mansion in two pieces was the most architecturally interesting of all the hotels. After cresting the hill it was a scream down to the entrance. 

Lunch on the terrace was a welcome reward. 

These cabanas are a few steps from the high tide line providing a place for a quick change into bathing suits and plunge into the water. At high tide it is a stones throw but a long walk on the sand to wade into the shallow waters at low tide. Timing is everything. 

Alan on the balcony enjoying the view of the bay. 

Kim could not resist getting into the act with a glass of bubbly as well. 

Along the winding shoreline path. 

Dinner for four. A real treat, 

Kim & I did a short off day loop ride to Ile Grande. Not much to see but very pleasant ride there and back. 

No clue!

Heading back at the end of the ride...

but not before a treat along the quay. 

 

TREGUIER - 29-SEP

Today we have to navigate our way out of Guingamp. Since this was Kathy and Roy's first actual ebike ride after a short checkout yesterday we took it slow and tried to avoid heavily congested roads. Not easy and with the exception of getting off course we made it to quieter roads as they got comfortable with their equipment. The ride was uneventful with the exception of Roy's chain jumping the front ring which required some disassembly to get him back on the road. Good thing I had a full compliment of tools to undo what needed to be undone. By the time we arrived at our destination everyone was comfortable on their wheels and confident that a disaster was not imminent.  

On the road to Treguier

Kathy looks good among the flowers. 

A tranquil setting along the canal. 

Top of the hill. Way to go Kim. Don't need no damn ebike. 

Much more contemporary looking buildings. 

You are not going to believe this but it was a serious climb from the shoreline to this church. Lots happening in and around the church square. 

Church from another view. 

Lunch on the square. Great food and they had free Wi-Fi which the waitress referred to as Wee Fee. French is a funny language, too many letters here and too few letters there. Oh well. 

Britany is known for its half timber structures as demonstrated by this five story walkup. Hard to believe these people lived such short lives considering all the exercise they get walking up hills and flights of stairs. Guess a few plagues can undo all the fitness. 

Just to confirm we are where we thought we were. Double and triple checking is always a plus. 

Mussels for Kathy ...

and mussels for me. Lots of frites to complete the meal. 

Far into the tidal estuary a quaint looking bridge on the way out of town.

This sculpture of a ???? caught our eye. 

European breakfasts come large and small. This hotel had the most extensive buffet which filled us for the days ride and squirreling some goodies in our pack while on the road or a late lunch.