Day 2: Sunday September 18th, Montargis to Nevers 145km
I wake up tired and sore but still with that lingering sense of elation. It takes the sting out of putting on the cycling gear for another round of hills.
Porridge, egg and plenty of bread for breakfast - carbohydrate heaven. Knowing that you can actively eat as much as you want is one of the few luxuries this trip affords. I embrace that.
Today, is the longest cycle of the trip - 145km in all to the town of Nevers. I think It's called that because you never think you'll get there!
We head out early and cycle deep into the Loire valley. After a few hours in the saddle, our first snack stop of the day is in the picturesque village of Gien, situated on the banks of the rolling Loire. With four groups of about 10 riders on this trip, there is careful coordination required and the organisers, Cycling Safaris, have to be commended for how they seamlessly conduct things.
Our route takes us via many small villages and past imposing chateaus towards the medieval hilltop village of Sancerre where we will have lunch.
It is with mixed feelings that you see a beautiful village on a hilltop in the distance – especially a village famous for its wine. When you’re on a bike at the bottom of that hill, it seems almost cruel.
It's a steep climb, not helped by the rain setting in, but when we get there it's worth it. On a clear day, the view is a stunning panorama of the traditional French rural landscape of vineyards and rolling hills. Today, however, a cold mist obscures the view and we make do with a welcome feast of charcuterie, pasta and baguettes.
And of course a glass of that fabled wine that the village is famous for. It would be rude not to.The restaurant has a beautiful buffet with lots of families enjoying Sunday lunch. We are herded into the bar next door with our plates. Far too much padded Lycra.
Once we’ve had our fill, we’re back on the bikes and freewheeling back down the hill makes it all worthwhile. The last leg of the journey to Nevers is slow and arduous in the rain with a number of hilly inclines that the cycling fraternity refer to rather aptly as ‘drags’. One of our group takes a fall. Luckily all is fine and the van arrives to take them to the hotel.
We take a roadside stop and huddle around one of our fellow cyclist’s mobile phone to listen to an audio stream from RTE of the Mayo/Dublin match. (He has a work phone and this is seemingly considered ‘business’!)
It's a nail-biter right up to the last minute when Mayo manage to extract a draw in the face of defeat. French motorists drive by bemused as we all gesticulate wildly in front of the phone. They seem to have gotten well-used to the crazy sport-loving Irish by now.
It's nearly early evening when we reach Nevers. My tiredness means I give but a cursory glance to the palace and cathedral that the town is famous for. After nearly 10 hours in the saddle, a hot bath and dinner seems well-deserved. To get to the hotel you have to traverse the cobblestones and car park ramp. Nice.
As they say, better late then Nevers.
If you’d like to cycle Paris to Nice for your charity, contact Paris2Nice.
