Cycle across France 2008
Home of the Pay and Hibberd clans
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Liz says...Really tough climb out of Figeac. The first of 5. Nixter steps in the shit of a Frenchman at Montredon. She is not happy. Descend into the Lot valley, a nice wide low river enveloped with intensive farming in 100m2 plots, barley, polytunnels etc. Branch off onto a smaller tributary and a dull road through a steep sided valley. Girls take some heavy things to help my knees which begin to feel sore. Break off to Conques and climb super-steep to the towns chocolate brown. Bit too artificial for my liking and too touristy tacky.
Conques - no entry for cars, but good for bikes!
Ascend in hot sun through gnarly wood, past ostriches then have a massive drop towards Espalion. Get to St. Come and have to be escorted back to chambre d'hote and I ain't happy - claims of being in St. Come turn to 1km from Come to "We're going back to fucking Espalion" passed the route we came in on. Hosts offer food which is very good and includes a very good home made paté....
Mal says...We stayed at:
Boraldette
Route d'Espalion
12500 Saint-Côme-d'Olt
Tel : 05 65 44 10 61
Tel : 06 71 74 07 35
Web: http://www.gites-de-france.com
Nix says...Home straight did I say? Well it was a long day. 62 miles with a lot of uphill. A 5k climb out of Figeac following a breakfast of tinned beans and processed sausages and 2 slices of stale bread in our fantastic super sized hotel room with balcony I barely touched and was so hungry by the time we got to the food store for supplies at 7.30am I ate 3 perfumed cereal bars packed with chemical flavourings. Have spent much of the day anticipating climbs - in the run up to Conques we were expecting a long slow climb but it actually turned out to be a fairly short but excrutiatingly sharp one. I just get into the zone with hills now though - have them down to a tee. Conques is absolutely stunning but you couldn't afford to stay long. Called Redmond and Clare from a café - he liked our message we left him on the phone the night before - apparently said "come get me" - Yes Redmond, we're coming to get you my sweet. I promise. Had a couple of moments today where I've thought "I canny cycle no more!!" - not sure I'd describe it as boredom, but close. Overall though, I'm feeling pretty fit and finding some of the toughest climbs - dare I say it - easy!
High on a plateau on the road to Villecomtal
I said to Mal and Liz tonight, the way I am on this bike ride is like a microcosm of my daily life - one moment I feel like I can't go on and then all of a sudden, feel like I can go on forever. Beautiful scenery in the valleys. Sunlight on the hills make them a spectacular shade of green. And some of the houses are spectacular too - every now and then I see a "a vendre" sign and feel tempted - wander - will I ever? Prices look sky high though on the glimpses I've had. Chambre d'hote on arrival - I thought uh oh, but didn't care too much as long as the bed is comfortable. Actually it's turned out a trump card though - an elderly couples family home - family long since departed - who cooked us a spectacularly simple yet delicious meal of paté, salad and bread, followed by pork chop with rice and then choco yoghurt. Perfect. Even the floral wallpaper looks good from a comfy bed.
Day 11 Figeac to St-Côme d'Olt: 99kilometres/62miles, 0800h-2030h, m up m down, 8km/h (with breaks)
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last updated July 16 2010 © lee hibberd
last updated July 16 2010 © lee hibberd