At present I am planning to be away from 13 May to 18 May, so could not realistically start a new journey until 20 May. However,
with an early start, it does seem possible to get from Derby to most railway stations in France on the same day; so I could catch you later in the week. The meeting on 4 Feb is OK for me.
Clyde: I tried to add a comment about posting .doc but have lost track of which user name to use. Anyway, I think this blog likes .jpg but not .doc so I "photographed" the document. My printer options seem willing to turn a .doc into a .jpg.
Martin
Monday, 4 January 2010
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Parcours Mystere- An Update for 2010
Dear All
Hope you had a pleasant Xmas and are keeping fit for our upandcoming challenge in May 2010.
I have checked out a few options for planes, trains and ferries (Not quite as the film although automobiles will come into it at one stage or another I am sure of that)
One option from many is as follows:
Monday 17/05/2010
Train to Portsmouth (best route for an advance single – Birmingham-Oxford-Portsmouth around 3-4hrs (cycles need reservations!)
Brittany ferries sailing for Queistram (Caen) at 22.45 for £236.00 (inc. Cabin for 4 and 4 bicycles) ie £59.00each arrives 06.45 nice and early for a long day in the saddle!
Wednesday 26/05/2010
Ryanair has a flight for 20 euros -Bergerac to East Midlands- departs 21.30hrs arrives 22.15hrs (bikes cost 40 euros with limit of 21kg)
We really need to confirm dates before booking anything. We have a little time yet (Ferries might get even get cheaper with special offers)
I suggest we confirm dates in February and then organize individuals willing to book the ferry, accommodation and possibly flights (perhaps these like trains should be left to the individual –everyone should advise others of their personal arrangements so that we can rendez-vous or travel together were appropriate.
Can we all make a meeting at the Flowerpot on February 4th around 7.30pm?
Hope you had a pleasant Xmas and are keeping fit for our upandcoming challenge in May 2010.
I have checked out a few options for planes, trains and ferries (Not quite as the film although automobiles will come into it at one stage or another I am sure of that)
One option from many is as follows:
Monday 17/05/2010
Train to Portsmouth (best route for an advance single – Birmingham-Oxford-Portsmouth around 3-4hrs (cycles need reservations!)
Brittany ferries sailing for Queistram (Caen) at 22.45 for £236.00 (inc. Cabin for 4 and 4 bicycles) ie £59.00each arrives 06.45 nice and early for a long day in the saddle!
Wednesday 26/05/2010
Ryanair has a flight for 20 euros -Bergerac to East Midlands- departs 21.30hrs arrives 22.15hrs (bikes cost 40 euros with limit of 21kg)
We really need to confirm dates before booking anything. We have a little time yet (Ferries might get even get cheaper with special offers)
I suggest we confirm dates in February and then organize individuals willing to book the ferry, accommodation and possibly flights (perhaps these like trains should be left to the individual –everyone should advise others of their personal arrangements so that we can rendez-vous or travel together were appropriate.
Can we all make a meeting at the Flowerpot on February 4th around 7.30pm?
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Meeting to discuss le parcours mystère
May I suggest, as a date for our first meeting, to discuss possible dates and other matters, Thursday 17 December 2009? Taking everyone's homes into account - some to the south of Derby, some to the north of Nottingham - may I also suggest as a venue the Flowerpot in Derby, an excellent pub with a huge range of real ales (directions to follow for those who have never been there before). If I have the time, I shall cycle from Matlock during the afternoon and go back by train - probably to be the first decent ride from my new home. Time, say 1930?
I will bring IGN 1: 100 000 maps of our route from Caen to Issigeac, plus any other details I have found out by that time, eg lodgings. Issues you might like to address and share with others: how do I get to Portsmouth (or Caen)? How do I get back from France? (bring those railway timetables, those of you that have them) How long can I stay in France after the end of the ride? (as long as you want, within reason!) How can I get my bike back to Blighty? What do I do if my bike breaks down irreperably?! (Pass) What happens if I get lost? (everyone must have copies of the route and, preferably, maps with them on the ride at all times) Likely cost? (I haven't a clue!)
I shall be in France again in early January. Let me know if you can think of anything you'd like me to find out when I'm there. I look forward to seeing you all there Thursday week.
I will bring IGN 1: 100 000 maps of our route from Caen to Issigeac, plus any other details I have found out by that time, eg lodgings. Issues you might like to address and share with others: how do I get to Portsmouth (or Caen)? How do I get back from France? (bring those railway timetables, those of you that have them) How long can I stay in France after the end of the ride? (as long as you want, within reason!) How can I get my bike back to Blighty? What do I do if my bike breaks down irreperably?! (Pass) What happens if I get lost? (everyone must have copies of the route and, preferably, maps with them on the ride at all times) Likely cost? (I haven't a clue!)
I shall be in France again in early January. Let me know if you can think of anything you'd like me to find out when I'm there. I look forward to seeing you all there Thursday week.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Some pictures of Issigeac
I took these pictures during last Sunday's market (8 Nov 2009). Not as busy as I have known it, but it is November, after all.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Voilà!
Description from the AF3V website of the Thouet Valley Cycle Path from St Martin to Parthenay (alopogies in advance for any clumsiness of style!)
As the towns are situated on the crests, and as the route often goes away from the river, there are frequent climbs. That makes the route a bit difficult for beginners or well-laden trippers, who should think about short stages.
The route is described in the published brochure in 8 sections. It starts at the edge of the department, at 2 km to the N of the lake “La Ballastière” at St Martin.
The first section between this lake and Thouars, 22 km long, is easy for families as it is perfectly flat. It follows for a long time the River Thouet, on a little sheltered road which, at the entry to Thouars, borders family gardens. After a very steep climb (the only one!), you cross the center of Thouars, go down on foot from the castle and cross the Thouet by the Romanesque bridge from where you get a beautiful view of the town.
The second section from Thouars to St Généroux (18.5 km) presents some climbs but you run alongside the Thouet many times (eg at Missé and before Boué) and you follow a wild 'almost-greenway' of 3 km before St G. In this town, the Romanesque bridge and the church are magnificent.
The third section, from St G to Airvault (11 km) often goes far from the valley onto a plateau (to where it climbs!) but the arrival at Airvault by the meadow of Soulièvres and the crossing of this pretty town pay off.
The 4th section (8.5 km) links Airvault with St Loup, a pretty village with houses with dovecotes.
The 5th section (8.5 km) passes by the Cébron Lake, a nature reserve and agreeable site, then descends to Gourgé where it crosses the Thouet on the Romanesque bridge.
The 6th section from Gourgé to Parthenay (22.6 km) is the most hilly of all, for the route climbs up to Lhoumois, then continues, far from the valley, into the hills. On the other hand, the entry into Parthenay has been made safe by the creation of cycle paths which lead to the crossing of the town which is achieved by means of a beautiful greenway running alongside the Thouet for 4 km, up to the leisure center and the Green Wood campsite. You have to climb into the town by small roads. Note: when you find yourself in the lower town, in the St James quarter, you can cross the Thouet at the old port, in order to join the start of the Parthenay – Bressuire greenway 1 km away.
As the towns are situated on the crests, and as the route often goes away from the river, there are frequent climbs. That makes the route a bit difficult for beginners or well-laden trippers, who should think about short stages.
The route is described in the published brochure in 8 sections. It starts at the edge of the department, at 2 km to the N of the lake “La Ballastière” at St Martin.
The first section between this lake and Thouars, 22 km long, is easy for families as it is perfectly flat. It follows for a long time the River Thouet, on a little sheltered road which, at the entry to Thouars, borders family gardens. After a very steep climb (the only one!), you cross the center of Thouars, go down on foot from the castle and cross the Thouet by the Romanesque bridge from where you get a beautiful view of the town.
The second section from Thouars to St Généroux (18.5 km) presents some climbs but you run alongside the Thouet many times (eg at Missé and before Boué) and you follow a wild 'almost-greenway' of 3 km before St G. In this town, the Romanesque bridge and the church are magnificent.
The third section, from St G to Airvault (11 km) often goes far from the valley onto a plateau (to where it climbs!) but the arrival at Airvault by the meadow of Soulièvres and the crossing of this pretty town pay off.
The 4th section (8.5 km) links Airvault with St Loup, a pretty village with houses with dovecotes.
The 5th section (8.5 km) passes by the Cébron Lake, a nature reserve and agreeable site, then descends to Gourgé where it crosses the Thouet on the Romanesque bridge.
The 6th section from Gourgé to Parthenay (22.6 km) is the most hilly of all, for the route climbs up to Lhoumois, then continues, far from the valley, into the hills. On the other hand, the entry into Parthenay has been made safe by the creation of cycle paths which lead to the crossing of the town which is achieved by means of a beautiful greenway running alongside the Thouet for 4 km, up to the leisure center and the Green Wood campsite. You have to climb into the town by small roads. Note: when you find yourself in the lower town, in the St James quarter, you can cross the Thouet at the old port, in order to join the start of the Parthenay – Bressuire greenway 1 km away.
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