It was a really cold start today and I still wasn’t feeling well due to the headcold I’ve had recently.
It was hard to get out of bed but the included breakfast at this really nice hotel was worthwhile. You know when the day’s minimum and maximum are both single digits that it’s going to be cold the whole way. Added to that is the fact that this is the furthest I’ve ridden so far – 80+kms and there is plenty of rain predicted. I was still looking forward to the day, and it didn’t disappoint.
Down the hill, I went through the main part of this nice town and looped past the impressive cathedral that’s undergoing restoration work. Aren’t they all ?
The quiet bike lanes that took me out of town were superb. When they stopped I was on untrafficked D roads which wound around the hills through the farming areas of Picardy.
Rain started soon after and continued until 15kms from Poissy. It was heavy at times and my face hurt from the cold but I was still smiling as it was such a great ride.
Lunch was in the village of Fleury at a great little restaurant that was packed with locals who didn’t pay much attention to me. When you’re wearing overknicks with shorts and socks and sandals and look wet, cold and bedraggled, nobody really bothers you 😁
Lunch was great – omelette, jambon and gruyere – very nice and just what I needed.
After half way, I went past the train station at Santeuil and thought that catching a train to Poissy would be smart – just to dry out and get warm. Unfortunately, the next train to Poissy wasn’t for two hours and would take more than an hour after that. I only had 35kms to go and would be at the hotel sooner if I kept riding.
So, I kept going and it was soooo cold. It felt like the temperature was dropping the whole time. I stopped for some food and a hot drink at a patisserie but there was no shelter outside – bad luck, I had to eat and drink outside in the rain.
I finished the last of my pastries at the next village before joining traffic as I neared Poissy. I’m really impressed with the cycling infrastructure here. There are a lot of designated bike paths and lanes and this keeps the cars from the bikes pretty well.
The last part of the ride was pretty easy, but the entrance to the hotel wasn’t obvious. It took a couple of phone calls to get there, but when I walked in … Wow.
It’s a renovated very old building, surrounded by building sites where they are building high rise apartments. My room was palatial, perfect for drying everything out overnight. Plus, they delivered dinner to my room, and there was also a secure place for my bike although that took a bit of negotiation.
The hotel has only been open for a few months and it shows. Nice staff, but the whole place feels a little empty, characterless and eerie.
sorry that there weren’t many pictures today. The rain and cold stopped me from snapping away.