Over the weekend of 26/28 February Caroline Sage and myself (Julie Lang) joined with a large group from Devon CTC on Geoff Sharpe’s Brittany Tour.  Caroline had been last year but I had no idea what lay ahead and was a little worried about the storms forecast.  We met at Plymouth ferry port on a freezing evening, boarded and settled ourselves in our cabin and then joined with the others in the bar.  We were acquainted with some of the group through events and joint rides – Larry Clarke, Andy Endicott and Graham Brodie, and there were many faces/names we recognised from articles and the web! 

After a very bumpy crossing (luckily I’m a good sailor!) we arose at 5.30 to meet for a good breakfast, but Caroline hadn’t been well all week and didn’t manage to eat all hers.  We left the ferry and found our group of riders, we had opted for the medium ride advertised as 100/120 k and of a length that we have both ridden before on summer club runs and in events we have taken part.  We set off, cycling on the other side of the road (a novelty for me!) at quite a fast pace, arriving in Morlaix for morning coffee.  There is a marvellous viaduct towering over the town but before I knew it we were off again and I hadn’t taken a picture.  There were several pictures I missed along the way, as we just couldn’t fall further behind the group. On the way out of the town Caroline stopped to tuck in her shoelace and before we knew it we were detached from the group and guessing their route. Thankfully Les Prior was with us and able to leave a message on Graham Brodie’s phone to inform our leader and with Caroline’s map and his Sat Nav our deviation wasn’t far and we were able to meet again not far along the route. I can’t give the exact route as we weren’t issued with route cards, but I do remember passing through Lanmeur, we had lunch in the seaside village of Locquirec at a French Creperie – very pleasant.  Then we rode along the Corniche de l’Armorique before heading inland to do a loop passing back through Morlaix for afternoon tea, or a very thirst quenching cool lemonade.  I then managed to grab a picture of the viaduct, on reflection I wish I’d thought to take one of lots of the bikes locked across the doorway of some poor Estate Agent and the dismayed look on his face!!

Morlaix Viaduct                                   Morlaix Town

Caroline’s energy levels had been flagging since lunch due to her illness and so Les who had been riding and looking after us at the back of the bunch had a word with our leader and it was decided we (the three of us) would ride back along the estuary to St Pol which was a flatter and slightly shorter route then the planned route which the rest would continue on and we would all meet back in St Pol for our evening meal. 

Caroline and Les                                      Church in St Pol

It did start to rain then, the restaurant wasn’t quite ready for us, so we invaded a small bar in the square opposite a large church or cathedral (I’m not sure which) and quite overwhelmed the locals!  After one quick refreshing drink we then headed back to the restaurant where we were welcomed, seated and served very efficiently, and the meal was delicious as I had to keep telling Caroline whose taste buds still hadn’t returned.  One of our group, Roger Wyman, took the plunge and ordered l’escargot for his starter.  I think he was a little disappointed at the portion though he appeared to enjoy the flavour! 

When we left it was raining quite steadily but in the dark it seemed mostly downhill and we were back at Roscoff ferry port in no time.  Whilst waiting to board Les told us that his Sat Nav gave the distance for our route as 69 miles.  At the boarding gate we were issued with different cabin passes to those we had previously which alarmed us slightly, but this was easily rectified at the information desk and when we re-entered our cabins everything was as we left it. 

The day had been quite sunny, milder than we are experiencing in Plymouth, and we were obviously in a sheltered part of the land, nothing like the reports of storms on the TV news that weekend across France.

On reflection, I think it’s fair to say we were the least experienced in the group, and it certainly taught us a thing or two.  To me it was immediately apparent that French drivers are far more patient and courteous than British drivers to cyclists – could we follow their lead?  I hope we didn’t spoil the groups’ enjoyment of the ride. Thank you to Geoff, and to Les for looking after us so well, and Caroline for soldiering on and not backing out and leaving me on my own.

Near the end and still friends!

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