Vendays-Montalivet to Lacanau Océan: flat straight-aways and curvy climbs, 41 miles


 Today we left the interesting Hôtel France located across from a lovely church with its tolling bells and on seemingly the busiest intersection in France after a breakfast of coffee, croissants, and baguette, but no plates!

We knew the route would be very straight and wondered at how to conquer the tediousness of such a ride. Playing capture the baguette was thrown out as a suggestion but not, met with much enthusiasm!  We seem to have no shortage of good conversation and appreciation for our surroundings and the opportunity to be on the bikes headed somewhere interesting.  We also had the anticipation of a café crème stop which we did at a beachside restaurant in the surfing town of Hourtin Plage. The coffee stop lead right in to lunch of fish and chips or woked vegetables and beef.  We had a nice chat with German riders Birgit and Ule who had lived in the US for 15 years.

After lunch we spent some time on the large dunes and down on the beach.  We watched as a school group of kids had a surf lesson.  Later we saw another school group out on mountain bikes!  French kids seem to be exposed to a wide variety of outdoor activities as we had seen a group rock climbing and zip-lining earlier in the tour.

Lauran and John on the dune

Pete enjoying some beach time 

Surf class
We headed out again for what Lauran called the roller coaster portion of the ride. I’m not sure she ever mentioned the steepness of the climbs which neared 12% grades at times.  Up and down, up and down, through trees growing in the dunes. It was quite lovely really but also quite challenging. The mantra in my head was “I’m in my sixties and rocking theses climbs!”  One last steep climb and we were at our destination where we enjoyed a celebratory gelato.  Later that evening we met up with Birgit and Ule again over drinks on the beach where we chatted about our various bike adventures. Then off for some great pizza and bed!  Tomorrow will be the last riding day for Pete, Betsy, and Cindy 😕. 

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