September 12, 2022
Day 12: Gramat to Entraygues sur Thuyère
The newest heatwave is supposed to hit today - we anticipated mid-30s Celsius. And today is a LONG day in the saddle. As we start out I sort of feel like I got up on the wrong side of the bed - feeling a bit down because of the weather change on this long day. Or maybe I’m just tired.
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After our brief stop in Assier, we resumed pedaling. We’re trying to keep stops to a minimum in an effort to beat the heat. We stumbled across this chapel that is one one of the Chemin de Compostela routes that offered fresh cold water, and picnic tables for lunch. I filled the water bottles while Chuck waited. Several randonneurs arrived and took the table. We settled for the bench in the shade.
Lovely frescoes filled the chapel’s ceiling.
The temperature readings from our Garmins were showing 38-39C. What water we had in our bottles was quite warm. Did I mentioned that this is a long day in the saddle.
We found cool water at the lavoir and guzzled a bunch. Amazing how refreshing that can feel. Onwards …
Then my captain saw this spot and the tandem turned in. The humans went right over the cliff edge and into the water.
We went in up to our knees and washed the arms and faces. We briefly considered a swim, but decided we’d better hit the road. The hours were passing.
We stayed at the Hotel de La Rivière. As we pulled up out front the propriétaire came out and said ‘I don’t have to ask who you are!’ We dropped our bags and parked the tandem in the garage. After a quick shower we went and hung out in the pool. Dinner at the hotel was exceptional even when we were demi-pension. I need to try making vegetable clafoutis!
It was a good day, but a bit warm and a bit long. Happy to be clean, relaxed, and off the bike for a night. By the way, I was feeling a lot better than I did in the morning. Nothing like a bike ride to clear the clutter in the brain.
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Oh, and in case you hadn't heard, Queen Elizabeth II died last Thursday - it's all over every news bulletin, but you're a bit off-grid so I just thought I'd mention it.
I'm also liking the look of the bumps on that route chart between 40 and 70km - how are the brakes (and your legs) doing?
2 years ago
Yes, we heard about Queen Elizabeth II. When we were having our pizza dinner in Brantome, there was a lady there crying all through dinner. When we walked out Mom text me the news and then I understood why that woman was in tears.
2 years ago
Stats: 104.4 kilometers 1,041 meters of elevation.
Today's ride: 104 km (65 miles)
Total: 1,187 km (737 miles)
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