A more ambitious ride today. We expected it to be chilly but it was downright cold. What started as an ideal ride descended into the less than ideal category. However, the partial cloud coverage became a solid overcast with a dash of sprinkling after our coffee break.
The ride over to Domme has a mini climb over the mostly flat first third. Things get serious as we start up the 700+ feet of climbing but along a modest grade maxing out still in single digits.
This ride has become so routine that our bikes automatically stop at designated spots. Here is a shelter for shedding some clothes. Not much to shed today with the chilly temperatures.
The bread break bench is now a fixture to catch our breath and replenish our spent glucose.
At the summit lies the aerodrome and military installation. I found a stump to rest on while Kim was catching up. We have been this way numerous times before but never spotted a soul. As I was waiting two cars exited the gate Obviously they saw me sitting there and a few moments later out came a security guard on a four wheeler. By this time Kim made it a threesome as he started questioning me in French. We made it clear that we did not speak French so he spoke a few works in English and pantomimed that photos were not allowed. Obviously we knew that but made it clear that we were not planning to take any. No need. We already have a photo of the sign that says no photos in an earlier blog. Satisfied that these old farts were not much of a threat he reentered the gate and drove off. Good thing we already had enough pictures at this spot and did not even have our Iphones in hand. Who knows what consequences we would have faced if we were taking a photo. But don't think they send foreigners to El Salvador from here.
Here comes the downhill. We put on everything we had and that was still not enough. With the sun blocked by the clouds there was not even a warming spot to stop.
The reason we took this route through Saint Marital was the excellent coffee shop (aka cafe) even if we would have to forgo the terrace for inside seating. But got another dose of "No coffee for you today". They are closed through the 28th so will have to wait for our return in 2026.
We got coffee at the Boulangerie next door and met these two Belgium studs who are through cycling to Montpelier. Carrying all your stuff and camping along the road is not in our wheelhouse. Nice to be young.
This stanchion was recently installed; it was not here on our last ride through here a few weeks ago, It is a bike service center (sans a resident mechanic) with all the tools needed to make quick repairs and even a standing hand pump. What a clever idea. It was the first one we have ever seen in all our riding here and at home.
Turns out that one of the guys manufactures a similar station with his father back in Belgium. He wanted to know if we were interested in a franchise to sell them in the states. We passed on this opportunity conveying that we have all the jobs we want and need - none.
We decided to continue on our ride and finish the second 14 miles. Not that smart since we could have taken a shorter option to get to Daglan where both options converged. With more downhill to go we were not pleases as a cloudy day turned into a spitting day. Not enough precipitation to get wet but enough to make a cold ride even colder.
While passing through Bouzic Kim noticed that Ed was in his storage area so we stopped to say Bon Jour. He was getting his wine cellar in order but we passed on any libations and booked our way back home before a sprinkle turned into a shower.
It was still a nice ride in spite of the weather. Hope we still have some warmer days a head even though summer has now changed to fall.
