Rolling Along in Normandy
France: Tour de Manche Stage 1 – Wed 22nd July 2015 – Cherbourg to La Haye-du-Puits (59 Km)
This morning I eagerly commenced my eleven day ride around Normandy and Brittany (known to the French as Bretagne). My level of expectation was not quite as high as it was for Croatia and the weather was overcast and cool, but today’s leg from Cherbourg to La Haye-du-Puits far exceeded my expectations. The scenery was superb and the route took me along deserted back roads, country lanes, and off-road bike paths. Although most of the bike paths were unsealed the dirt was so well compacted that even a racing bike would have managed OK. Apart from one climb of about 150 m at the 5 Km mark the route was very flat so I found myself steaming along in top gear most of the day.
One of the advantages of solo bike touring is that you can stop any time anywhere to take photos and the ride today provided plenty of photo opportunities. I think you will see what I mean when you view today’s photos.
The highlight of the first section from Cherbourg to Brix (named after the Brix family, whose most illustrious descendent is Robert the Bruce) was the Château des Ravalet at Tourlaville, a stunning place surrounded by a lovely, well-maintained garden.
From Brix to Bricquebec the going was easy along quiet lanes past farms and villages. Bricquebec is a charming little town whose history dates back to the Vikings. I stopped here for coffee and called in at one of those great little boulangerie patisseries to buy lunch to take with me … a 12 inch long baguette filled with camembert, pâté, egg and lettuce. The town of Camembert is in Normandy and the cheese named after it is really amazing around here. Absolutely delicious!
In the 15 km stretch from St-Sauveur-le-Vicomte to La Haye-du-Puits I found myself cycling along a disused railway line, flanked by trees. I was conscious of the fact that there is an 11th century dungeon around here and a reputation for witchcraft, which gave me an eerie feeling as I rode solo through the forest.
After a relatively easy 60 Km journey I arrived at the pretty, medieval cobbled town of La Haye-du-Puits where I am staying tonight at a nice little place called Le Colquin (which incredibly only cost €35 for the night). The town was badly damaged during the war, but has since been nicely restored.
The restaurant downstairs looks interesting so I will probably eat there tonight, then prepare for tomorrow’s 70 Km ride to Saint-Lô which I hope will be as enjoyable as today was.
Le Colquin is a gem of a place to stay! I have just finished a great 3-course meal in the restaurant downstairs at a total price of €11.90. For entree I chose Rustic Pâté, followed by a main of Rump Steak (generous piece BBQ’d on the wood fire in the restaurant and served with camembert sauce), then finished with a luscious Crème Caramel.
Well my dear you have once again exceeded your photographic talent. Fab photos. Your ride seem interesting thank goodness no dramas. Let’s hope the remaining rides be as good and drama free as today’s. ” if riding is the fruit of life, ride on ride on.”
A great start and nice photos. So what will be the substitute for the daily dose of gelato?
In Italy last year and Croatia this year I was addicted to gelato, but here in France I head straight to the boulangerie patisseries. They say you are what you eat, in which case I am about to turn into a pannini or baguette!