Phil came with us this morning the plan being that Hayley and her folks would meet us all in La Roche. They were bringing our panniers, so we were cycling without the heavy weight today which was really nice!
The early riding was great, through beautiful beech forests, Phil was navigating using google maps so we had it easy......until it started taking us off road!
We went through some fields and on a board walk over a marsh which was actually great cycling, but then the cobbles started, miles and miles of them, they look nostalgic but on a road bike they shake your teeth out!
Phil's done a lot of cobble riding so he told us the technique: stand up, grip saddle between thighs and grip the bars loosely with your hands, this helped.
Then the cobbled road turned into full on Mountain bike track and was unsuitable for our bikes, it was a good job we didn't have the panniers too. I got a tyre blow out after hitting a rock, and the general consensus was drawn up that we needed to get back on some Tarmac.
We got back on the road and as we neared Andenne (about half way) phil started to flag and cramp up, he was supposed to come on more of the tour with us originally but got a bad ankle injury a few months ago, and so has been unable to train, this meant he was struggling to do a 90 mile day (fair enough).
So we met Hayley, Gary and Carol at a cafe in Andenne and they collected Phil and gave us our panniers. I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be to leave Hayley in Andenne as it is now a month until I will see her. Anyway goodbyes were said and off we went.
A big thanks to Phil for his hospitality and help yesterday and to G&C for all there help and great food they gave is, and to Hayley who has let me sod off for 5 weeks! And who I will miss!
Out of Andenne was a pretty monster hill, it was also very hot (over 100f), this made us think about how to play the later stages in Italy and Spain when it's going to get properly hot!
We kept stopping to refill drinks and took regular mini breaks. It was very hilly, almost like god had used a giant plough in this part of Belgium: up then down then up then down for what seemed like an eternity.
As we reached the edge of the Ardenne region the scenery opened up and was spectacular, in the first valley I spotted a hobby being mobbed by swallows and a booted eagle sitting on a lamppost.
We were both shattered when we reached Hotton, thinking it was only about 5 miles to La Roche we were happy, but it was actually about 14 to the campsite so the last bit was hard but in beautiful countryside an down some cycle tracks in parts.
We finally reached La Roche, pizza and a beer, then campsite, dip in the river, tent up and shower, job done, good day.
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