Dome 2 Rome 2013: Day 4- Epernay to Clairvaux

It's only 21.30hrs. That means there is a small chance of this blog post being vaguely coherent.

We left Epernay just before 09.00hrs this morning and rode up out of the valley over a ridge weaving between the vineyards over a climb of about 5% nothing worse on great Tarmac. With legs warmed up we enjoyed the views from the top of what appeared to be most of France below.

It's a busy agricultural area and most of the traffic we saw were strange looking vehicles more at home on a sci fi film set. For a mile or so we hitched a ride drafting behind something that must be used to drive between the vines as it cruised along at just the ride speed to drag us to the top of the hill.

It has been incredible to see how empty France is. There are times when it feels as though the country has been evacuated as a result of some nuclear accident and no one has told us. There are so few people which makes driving on almost any road in France a pleasure. There are no pot holes, the cars when they do come are polite and pass wide and courteously.

It also has its problems and that means in remote areas (read all of France outside of Paris) coffee shops and convenience stores do not abound on every street corner and when you do see one it might often be closed. Today we found just that, the temperatures are rising the further south we get and water supplies are becoming more precious. It was 25 miles before we found an open cafe and the sun was blazing. At last somewhere to get a caffeine hit for the morning. A remote truck stop aside a main road we crossed proved the welcome oasis.

Walking in was a bit of a shock. psychedelic purple chairs and blue walls was not what we were expecting but it was very welcome none the less. The bar man kindly refilled our bottles with ice cold water.

Meanwhile our support car was still in Epernay getting Matt's front wheel fixed. Well they bought a new front wheel. I feel somewhat vindicated for admitting defeat with the new tyre on his wheel. The bike shop they took it to couldn't get it on either, not any other tyre in their shop. So it appears Matt has a wheel he can't use but a new one was sourced and he is back in Action and Johns cannibalised bike has been rebuilt with its proper wheel. Other required bits from the riders were bought and shopping done. Then they headed up the route to a village in an agreed location. When we (cyclists & car) both claimed to be stood outside the church in Jessains we discovered there are two villages with the same name within 10 miles of each other and we were of course on different ones. We rode on for 4 miles before reaching the car in an alternative but ideal picnic spot.

There as we sat and ate our picnic lunch a cute little stray kitten came and befriended us. Being English we of course fed the stray and showed her some love and affection in true British fashion.

After we cycled on Tacye was caught cat napping...

Alex had a tough day today. We all get them in these trips. One day fine the next day empty legs. Today appeared to be Alex's day. It's getting decidedly hotter too and I think that took its toll on some too today. Everyone rode on though at a pace they could manage and soon we were climbing over a sharp climb before gradually descending down to Clairvaux and our hotel for the night. We are now about 100 miles north of Dijon so it seemed rude not to have the chicken in mustard sauce for tea.

There Weren't many photos today I am afraid. Just this one of a pretty church I took as I waited on a corner to check no one missed a turn.

Lucy Cleminson this one is for you....

That's my bike waiting for me as I used the bushes for a call of nature. Notice how clean it is again Lucy. :-)

Tonight we are in a other basic hotel but with very friendly and helpful staff who didn't mind us serving some champagne to celebrate the boys first 100 mile ride yesterday. It's always a milestone in any cyclists life to do your first 100.