Cycling France: Les Pieux to Grandcamp-Maisy

My latest bicycle touring update: cycling in France, on Saturday. Les Pieux to Grandcamp-Maisy. 75 miles. Last night certainly wasn’t the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had. First of all, it started to rain, which in a tent always sounds a lot worse than it actually is. I was just getting used to that and started to drop off again. When the wind got up and started rattling the tent about. I knew I should have put the guy ropes out. But me being me and being a bit lazy. I very rarely do, and besides, it’s hard enough putting the tent up at the moment as it is!

I lay there listening to the tent flapping in the wind. wondering whether to get up and put the guy ropes out. But I was too cosy and warm in my sleeping bag. So I just cat-napped for an hour or two, dozing off for a while. Only to be woken up by the tent flapping in the wind! Needless to say, I’ve put the guy ropes out tonight!

It’s Not Been An Easy Day

There’s been a strong, cold wind all day today. Sometimes with me, other times against me. But luckily, it seemed to be with me the majority of the time! Had rained this morning for the first time on this trip. I’d just got to Cherbourg when it started. I’d seen a sign for McDonald’s, so I thought I would wait it out in there. But unfortunately, they don’t open until 10 am over here, so I had to keep going. I hadn’t put my waterproofs on, thinking that I was going to stop. So by now, I was pretty wet. And I couldn’t find my way out of Cherbourg. Probably because of the rain. I tend to have my head down and miss signs!

I eventually stopped to put my waterproof jacket on, although it was possibly a bit too late! Once, I had my waterproofs on. I was able to look at the signs a bit better and soon found my way out. The rain lasted for about two hours before clearing up, leaving a lovely sunny day, although there was still a strong, cold wind.

Tour Information

It’s been years since I took this ride, but the memories (and the data) are all archived:

• Photos: See my photos on Flickr
• The route: View my journey
• Video: Check out my YouTube video
• Tour page: Ride overview

Follow My Bicycle Touring Adventures

Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I continue to travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. If you’re enjoying the ride and want to fuel my next mile, you can always buy me a beer. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. I’m also on Flickr, where you’ll find pictures from all my tours, along with regular photo updates that I generally publish each month.

If you want to find out if I’m away touring at the moment and check my location, visit the Where’s Garry page. And for an insight into the gear and logistics that keep me on the road, see my Life at 10mph Guide.

Cycling France: St Malo to Genets

My latest bicycle touring update: cycling in France. St Malo to Genets. 64 miles. Got talking to an old boy last night called Malcolm. He’s 84 and from the Isle of Wight and is cycling to Nantes. On his 65-year-old bike! He’s doing it purely because he’s never been there! He said if he does 20 miles a day, he’ll be more than happy! Good on him, I hope he makes it. It was really nice talking to him.

It was a very smooth crossing last night. Possibly the smoothest I’ve ever had. Although I really didn’t sleep that well, the room was just too hot. But if I turned the air conditioning up, it was too loud and also kept me awake. Suppose I should have opened the window!! Arrived in St Malo on time at 8.15. Although by the time I got off the boat and through customs, it was getting on for 9 o’clock. Really nice ride today. I’ve even managed to make a decision all on my own as to which direction I’m heading in! I’ve decided to follow the coastline the same as I did on my first long-distance ride from Bilbao to Bognor.

I went and saw Le Mont Saint Michel this morning, which is always nice to see. Although I didn’t go right up to it, as they seem to be doing a lot of building work on the causeway leading up to it. So there was also a lot of dust! Found a nice little campsite tonight. It only cost me €9.50! However, I was wondering if I could find one that was open. I’ve passed a lot today that were still closed. Found pitching the tent really hard going because of my back. So not going to cook. There’s a little restaurant on the site, so I’ll eat there.

Tour Information

It’s been years since I took this ride, but the memories (and the data) are all archived:

• Photos: See my photos on Flickr
• The route: View my journey
• Video: Check out my YouTube video
• Tour page: Ride overview

Follow My Bicycle Touring Adventures

Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I continue to travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. If you’re enjoying the ride and want to fuel my next mile, you can always buy me a beer. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. I’m also on Flickr, where you’ll find pictures from all my tours, along with regular photo updates that I generally publish each month.

If you want to find out if I’m away touring at the moment and check my location, visit the Where’s Garry page. And for an insight into the gear and logistics that keep me on the road, see my Life at 10mph Guide.