We got beaten up by the weather!

There was not a cycle tourer alive in France this last month whose journey hasn’t been impacted by the flooding rains.

Observed in small towns, huddled together under shop awnings, cowering by abandoned farm buildings or sheltering behind hedges, sodden cyclists are everywhere. Passing along the unmanned canal locks, riders wave to one another grinning through clenched teeth, often following up with an ironic ‘Bonjour’ or hearty ‘Bon Courage’.

After another severe band of storms and a close lighting strike, soaked to the skin and shivering beneath a holly oak, we questioned the merits of cycling any further.

Everything is heavy in the wet. We travel slowly through waves of torrential rain as fair weather plans melt away and the world around us fades to slate grey.

Despite unpleasant conditions, we pushed on into the bruising afternoon.

As former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson said: “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face”.

Later that evening, dried out warm and planning out our route over a hot cup of tea we silently acknowledge that tomorrow is another day. Thats cycle touring.

P.S: Well It’s been fair winds, sunshine and medieval castles for the last few days as summer finally arrives. We ate some fresh roadside apricots. It is 30 degrees Celsius and blue skies today, lathering on the Sunscreen.