October 6, 2024
Cahors to Rocamadour
A beautiful Birthday Ride
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It was an amazing day. This is a beautiful part of the world for sure. This may not be a long post though! We arrived late in Rocamadour after firmly promising ourselves we would get an earlier start. Let’s cut to the chase, we did not manage it!
We were out the door, and immediately headed in the wrong direction to see the famous bridge in Cahors, which I have now forgotten the name of. While Keith was busy photographing the railway bridge, which was lovely, I breezed by hollering “wrong bridge” which he didn’t hear, resulting in one of our hilarious standoffs where he is gesturing firmly I should come his way, and I was gesturing firmly he should come my way from about 100 m apart. Any one watching us would burst into laughter. But it is my birthday, so he had to give in and we finally arrived at the right bridge. These things take time though, and that is my excuse for the late departure.
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Shortly after leaving Cahors we discovered a new bike path that was being created but wasn’t completed. We decided to give it a try anyway, and for several km it was awesome. However, our tires were gradually picking up more and more mud, and then we arrived at the machinery that was compacting the bike path next to the former rail line and we were stuck. In my case literally, as somehow I had acquired some large rocks embedded in the mud under my fender. Next we were pushing and I was more like dragging, as we tried to figure out a way back to the road. Fortunately that only lasted about 600 m before we escaped, and over the next twenty or so minutes of riding through every puddle I could see, the rocks dislodged.
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Back on the road the ride was terrific, right from the start. Low to absolutely no traffic, great surfaces and great views. It was a very up and down day, ending with 1160 m of climbing, so the 70 km took some time. Our first real climb resulted in valley views, an almost balcony type road, and a car rally where everyone was stopped close to the top of the climb, and they all unrolled their windows to call ‘allez allez’ or ‘bravo’ which was greatly appreciated.
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Once on the valley floor we had a 20 km stretch that was all uphill, but at rail trail grades, and went through some very picturesque villages. There were virtually no cars. We stopped for lunch in one tiny spot and mused to ourselves about who lived there.
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1 month ago
The road kicked up more seriously, the sun was shining and I was so hot. I had my bike shorts on over my tights and I decided the tights had to go. So at the side of the D road I started to strip. I even had to take my shoes off. Keith couldn’t believe I was folding and putting away my tights in my knickers before putting my bike shorts back on, but there was so little traffic I wasn’t concerned.
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1 month ago
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55990-Podarcis-muralis/browse_photos?place_id=6753
----->Bill
1 month ago
1 month ago
It continued to be an up and down day and we loved it. At one point we hit a hill that was very short but very steep. We both ended up pushing. That doesn’t happen very often but when you can’t turn the pedals anymore, what can you do? It gave me the giggles because I told Keith I only had to hike a bike because he stopped right in front of me and that destroyed my momentum. Not true. Shortly after that there was another similar hill, but not quite as steep. We both made it to the top and there was an open café. We couldn’t believe it. Hallelujah!
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So the final push to Rocamadour began and it was as great as the rest of the ride. A joke with us when we are riding these tiny back roads and the surface is incredible is that the Tour must have been through. Well, when I rode over Tom Pidcock’s name I nearly swooned. Then there was Wout Wout Wout, Cav, Yates and many more. I can’t explain how exciting this was for me. Imagine if I actually ever make it to see a day of the Tour in real life if I get this excited about riding the same road.
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1 month ago
1 month ago
Around a curve and there was Rocamadour. What a mind blowing sight. We are here for two nights. When I realized we had done 70 km I felt like I should retrieve my bike from the garage and do two more so that I had ridden my age but didn’t really seriously consider it. Instead, Keith has taken me out for a delicious birthday dinner and I am feeling very blessed.
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What a memorable birthday. I won’t ever forget it.
Today's ride: 70 km (43 miles)
Total: 1,431 km (889 miles)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 13 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 24 |
Glad you had memorable birthday 🎂 Cheers 🥂
1 month ago
It’s nice to ride TdF routes after the race has been through, rather than before while the resurfacing is in progress (as happened to us this year).
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