End of a Dream
France Stage 16 – Morlaix to Roscoff 30 Km (Mon 25 June 2019)
Weather: 14⁰C min – 24⁰C max, fine and sunny
“I came, I spun, I conquered.” ~ Unknown
From Morlaix to the port of Roscoff (Rosko) is one of the prettiest and most interesting sections of the whole tour, passing through lovely fields of the region’s famed pink onions (almost made me cry) and artichokes, with beautiful views of the English Channel. Here La Vélodyssée cycle route shares the way with Le Tour de Manche cycle route that I rode three years ago, so I have ridden this section before.
One spectacular sight along the way was the Penzé River, reduced to glistening mud at low tide. What amazed me was how huge the tide is, leaving lots of boats resting on their keels totally out of the water.
A highlight today was passing through the spectacular town of Saint-Pol-de-Léon, in the Pays Léonard area, about 7 Km before you get to Roscoff. I stopped there and enjoyed a café au lait in the sunshine while watching everyone strolling around the busy town centre.
Like the last day of the Tour de France, the last day of my tour was a breeze. All the hard work has been done and the short ride of 32 Km today was a mere formality, like idling along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to the finish line with the race already won.
Looking back, the last eight weeks has been an incredible adventure. When I left Brindisi in Puglia (southern Italy) on 2 May 2018, I must admit to a certain amount of apprehension, wondering if I had bitten off more than I could chew. Thankfully, after completing 2,500 Km in 42 days of riding (about 60 Km per day on average) my poor old body has stood up to it fairly well. I am pleased to report that I am feeling fit and healthy, even the bad back I had for a week in Sicily has mended itself.
Thanks to my Garmin Edge 1000 GPS and the maps I had created on my computer using Garmin Basecamp and Open Street Maps, navigation was not something I had to be concerned about. At the start of each day it was just a matter of switching the device on, selecting the right route for the day, then faithfully following the burgundy coloured line until I knocked on the door of my accommodation.
The whole tour (Puglia, Sicily, France) has exceeded my expectations and has been a marvellous experience. Each section has been enjoyable in its own way, but if pressed for a favourite I would have to vote for Puglia because of its scenery (particularly the Gargano coast), its diversity, and its amazing towns.
So that’s all folks until next time. I hope you have enjoyed following and that you will be inspired to follow suit.
Well done, Kevin! Thank God, all has worked out as you had planned and that you have come through safe, well and happy after such wonderful adventures.
Lots of love,
Nancy.
Thanks Nancy. Yes everything worked out perfectly.
This is what cycling is all about. We’ve both been inspired by your journey Kevin. It has put a big smile on my face each morning reading your posts and looking at your great shots. I’m there in spirit.
Fantastic to hear Stephen! Looking forward to catching up when we eventually get back to Sydney.
A great trip and I am glad it worked out so very well – not too surprising considering all the preparation and “homework” you did. All so very worth while. Glad that your “poor old body has stood up to it fairly well”. I am sure that you are in the top 0.05% for your age group. And a bit of shadenfreude: it is dull, rainy and cold in Sydney! (The balance of the cards group are coming to my place for dinner tonight but not for cards). Cheers! David
Thanks David, good to hear from you. Heat wave here in London, with max today nearly 30 so the poor Londoners are wilting! Say hi to the gang for me.