nbjtours

Day Five

St Jean de Losne

61 miles 1145 ft climbed

Two years ago on our St Jacques du Compostelle ride we stopped off at a biscuit factory near Cahors. Little did we realise Dom was such an avid biscuit fan, but he practically bought up the shop. So this year as the route was passing another biscuit factory outlet shop we had to stop. He almost filled his basket, shown empty above and is now happy to have made the trip.

Well there may have been plenty of jokes about squashed fly biscuits but today whilst we cycled along a converted railway track into Dole there were thick clouds of flies in some sunny spots. As we hit these clouds we could hear them bash into our helmets. The photo above shows our legs were completely covered in thousands of the tiny critters. We wondered if we could catch them and make patties like they do in Africa.

It didn’t rain overnight and setting up at breakfast we were hopeful we’d get straight out on time. Sadly however the rain gods had different ideas and the rain set in just as we had our bikes ready to go. After a brief conflab we decided that leg one today to the biscuiterie would be in the camper. With the rain increasing and not letting up it was the correct decision even if it meant not going through the tunnel above. As Dom took a while to empty the shop of biscuits pleasingly the rain stopped in time for us to get back on our bikes.

We initially ran along the Doubs valley and the navigable canal adjacent ( still part of the Rhône & Rhine canal we have run alongside occasionally over the last two days).

It was then suddenly we came across this unusual water feature installed at the end of a canal tunnel which of course we had to go and investigate, parking up our bikes and climbing over the tunnel to be able to wander through. The noise of the cascading water was deafening.

As we were not allowed to cycle through the tunnel we had to go up and around to the other side where we rejoined the canal. Barges are still able to use the tunnel, as there are sensors that turn the water cascades off when one approaches.

Just after this point we left the canal tow path and climbed a small hill to get into the adjacent Loue valley and on to see the magnificent Royal Salt works at Arc et Senans.

We thought to try and get a stamp for our passports and the two ladies in the gift shop were very helpful. One initially got out their administrative stamp when the other said why don’t we get the manager’s stamp out of his office as that much nicer. As you can see below it is.

Leaving Arc et Senans we hit a police road check by a level crossing. Manned by the gendarmerie and SNCF they were stopping everyone and reminding everyone to obey the red lights and barriers. In particular telling us not to be like the riders in the Tour de France and zig zag through. We even got given a reflective snap band to wear!

With 10k to go before our lunch stop we took it in turns to power the peloton and found Broomey with Nigel & Monica in a lay-by on the edge of a village having set out ready, including drying the tents.

As we had covered about half distance with only just over 30 miles to go we decided to press on with a stop in the town of Dole about halfway before catching back up with Broomey at the campsite.

We then took a railway cycle path into Dole for just over ten miles and it was along here that we ran into clouds of flies.

We found the Tourist office to stamp our passports before sitting and watching the world go by for a moment and then moving off seeing this dog observe the world from his first floor window.

The last 12 mile section of the ride was once again by the canal/river which had now become the Saône. once again Dom took the lead and we made it back within an hour.

Having just got off their bikes Dom & Richard felt the need to get a last training run in before the trail races at the weekend so went out to run a parkrun to the town and back. Speaking of training we heard a regular beat of a drum approaching and there was a dragon boat team on the river getting ready for their next event.

The sun set on another successful and eventful day which although shortened by the rain we remained happy that we had made the correct decision not to get soaking first thing.