It wasn't a bad night in the hikers hut, away from the noisy tent area, and we woke up feeling both excited and a little sad. Our last day riding in Europe, after 78 days. It is really hard to believe we have been here that long. So Mother Nature had sorted out an awesome weather day, not too hot, not too cold, sun shine, and the little breeze there was, was behind or side on.
We started the day with the big biker group, who were off on some war trail together, and we both felt like it would have been great to be a part of it. But instead, we took photos of them, and said "see ya later", and sped off at 20kms/hr..ha ha ha.
Black Betty wants to be a motorbike too....
They are just as noisy as their motorbikes....
Once on the other side of Ypres, we were on the Ieperleekanaal, which then led into the Ijzer river. It was easy fun riding, and as Will had had his super muesli for breakfast (I think it must have performance enhancing substances in it), he was out front setting a cracking pace. Maybe he is finally sick of me and trying to ditch me. I'm having none of that, and managed to keep up. I had to drink on the move, and wasn't allowed a pit stop for 20kms. (I was too scared to ask, so just waited for Will to need one).
Look at that sunshine. What a great day to ride.
Along the Ijzer, we were on a RAVel, and sheep, big brown ones dropping wool, were everywhere. One even tried to chase me, it was a big one too. Will and I are calling this path, the poo path, it was covered in shit, and there was no dodging it. There were bugs flying all over the place too, poo bugs, so not much conversation over that section. Still keeping up the cracking pace though.
No time for stopping and wondering what, or why, just look on the go.
I mentioned to Will a possible need for another stop for food, and he yelled back to me, from way in front, " in another 10kms, then we'll be halfway". Bloody hell, we're at 40kms now. But luckily, about 5kms on, we came to Bergues, and as we slowed to a gentle roll, due to a herd of geese all over the road (I know, I know, a flock, but they are more like cows). They were reeking havoc on the road, so we decided to sit on the park bench and watch them while eating our lunch.
Check em out, cars, people, all stopped for the geese.
Task master Will, who really was on a mission today, only gave us half an hour break, and as we'd finished our food, and the geese had parked up for a rest, he got us moving early. Gee willickers man! But, the road followed the Canal de Bergues towards Dunkirk, then west towards Gravelines and Calais. It really was an amazing ride, through farms, and along the waterways. The sun continued to shine, and the breeze picked up, but very rarely did we turn into it. Thank goodness.
Still drinking on the go, just keep pedalling.
Around Gravelines, Davo GPS directed us to the seaside, and told us to ride through the dunes, "It is very scenic", he said, but we said " Piss off, we've just ridden 85kms, and that is too much work". And then we redirected ourselves onto the minor road, and with Davo beeping his butt off, we continued speeding towards Calais.
Yeah, Naaa! Doesn't really look like a fun ride.
Beautiful field of Poppies. Never get boring.
By the time we'd reached the outskirts of the Port city, Davo had recovered from his tantrum, and put us on a cycle path, off the road. Goodo, we thought, until we realised we'd ridden into the middle of a rubbish dump. Seriously! The only way out (not going back) was over a ditch, with logs in it and up a steep bank. Fuck! Will, and his performance enhanced self, mumbled some offensive words and almost lifted each hike single handedly over the ditch, and then left me to push Betty up the bank, while he carried on.
Seriously Davo, this is not funny!
That looks like fun after 100kms of riding.....shit!
We emerged at a massive round about, which thankfully had a cycle path. We stopped, reset Davo for our hotel, and then followed him into the main square. The Hotel was on one of the corners, easy, and we checked in, asked about a laundry (just on the opposite side of the square, awesome), showered and took all our belongings over to do washing. Got it all going, so we found a bar close by for dinner and settled in. After the washing time, I went back and got it into the dryer, then back to the bar.
The main square in Calais. Where are all the people?
Bikes parked up awaiting check in at our hotel.
Another great cathedral/church. They're all different.
We ordered dinner, Will went back to check the washing, and put it on a bit longer to dry. We ate dinner, then just after 8pm went back to collect our washing. When we got there, the door was like locked. What the hell, it is supposed to be open. We pushed a little button near the door, nothing. Shit, we could see our clothes in the dryer, waving at us, but we couldn't get them. We had to leave them there. They were all I have except what I'm wearing!
You all know me by now, what am I thinking?
So we left them in the laundry, in the dryer, and hope like hell they are open in the morning in time for us to catch our ferry. They are supposed to be open by 7am....but who know, they should of stayed open until midnight tonight and they didn't. Might be clothes shopping in Dover tomorrow?
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