PTW

Leaving the sh*t weather, potholes and inconsiderate drivers behind in the UK.

Little Kev, Martin, Lyndsey and I met up with Jeff Bruce last week for five days of bliss cycling in the Vendee region. Flying from Bristol to La Rochelle took only an hour and the difference in the weather was almost unbelievable, with shorts, short sleeves and sun cream essential daily attire.

With a good mix of rides around the local lumpy surrounding area and further afield on the flatlands to the coast, it was refreshing to ride on excellent road surfaces with the drivers of the few cars/tractors being more than happy to share the tarmac, showing plenty of patience and giving wide berths when eventually passing.





Staying at Jeff’s holiday home in a rural village provided a great base, with a café bar selling Leffe on tap which went down well after each ride. Also, the village has five different access roads, each blessed with a sign providing the main and final prime each day. Intermediate sprints at other villages/towns were similar, I am not bitter that I didn’t take many sprints, but local knowledge proved very useful to the others who had all ridden the roads last year on a reconnaissance mission.

Flights from Bristol with Easyjet worked out good value, especially when considering only booked 3 weeks before departing, outward and return flights we selected were nice afternoon times, which allowed a ride on the last morning.

All in all, excellent riding, company and accommodation, so if anyone is interested in getting a group together get in touch with Jeff who still has a number of weeks available for rent (house well furnished with mod cons and can accommodate up to ten people).

do you gain weight or lose it on one of these holidays?

and do you care?

Bill, not sure about weight change, but feel fitter for the experience :-))

Nice one Jez. Our previous HR girl was from La Rochelle and she used to wax lyrical about it.... which makes you wonder why she ended up living in Nottingham.

Good write up Jez, but it still doesn't get across how good it is out there.
Just experienced 5 days of cycling heaven with a group of like minded people. Cycling past fields of sunflowers and sweetcorn, through hill top villages and on superb roads was bliss . What a tonic with the brilliant summer we are currently experiencing!
Came back weight neutral Bill, as it should be about enjoying life to the full. I'll let Bradley Wiggins do the sacrifices for our sport. I'm past all that seriousness a long, long time ago!
Looking forward to the next time - or should I go to Nottingham instead?