Day 5 - Clairvaux to Beaune

Well that was a beautiful ride! Wow, easily my favourite so far. Stunning wooded valleys started the day on perfect Tarmac then some gentle climbs in the still morning air through the woods before dropping swiftly down to a plateau. Denise don't read this bit but that descent was steep and fun but I would not ever of had the courage to sit up and wave my arms above my head as those boys did to pass the time on the way down at 30mph!! Boys will be boys...

We then ran along a valley for some time passing this beautiful chateau. 

Just fabulous roads with almost no traffic and sunshine. What a gorgeous days riding. The only hills were gentle <5% and easily manageable. 

We passed little habitation and that that we did pass in usual French style was locked up or seemingly abandoned. No coffee stops at all it seems. 30 miles came and went and Scott was still working and surprised at our rapid progress so we were getting thirsty for coffee. A local farmer told Chris there was nothing for 25 kilometres but eagle eyed Matt spotted a golf course and went to investigate the idea of coffee there knowing that all golfers like a clubhouse. He wasn't wrong and definitely wins the award for the best coffee spot so far. A lovely little clubhouse with a sun veranda and coffee and toilets. 

Meanwhile Tacye and Chruc rather than being enhanced by the forests and remoteness of the area were stressing about where to find lunch. A bit of creative thought from them found our lunch and they found an amazing lunch spot under some gazebos left around the church in a small village at 50 miles. 

Notice all the washing strung up around the local child's playground!

The ride didn't get any less beautiful though somewhat hilly with some sharp ups as well as downs. A couple of punctures in the afternoon woke us up.  after lunch, Kolya had a flat tyre at the end of lunch so while the others rode on we fixed it and then time trialled out way back to the bunch 7 miles later.

Here was the rest of the team waiting for Scott's puncture repair. 

The heat of the day and 10 miles on to water was making tired souls flag slightly.

With Scott's puncture repaired Jill, Scott, Chris and I worked together to catch up with the others. Eventually catching them just before the top of the biggest hill. 

Form there it was about 9 miles to the finish and Chris and I felt able to ride from the front at speed down the descent after having worked hard to get the punctures back on the road. Not sure how fast we were but it was fun that's for sure. 

The we rolled into Beaune those with sore bottoms empathised with those on the Tour de France riding over Beauns cobbled streets. 

Beaune is a beautiful town and tonight just a few of us wandered onto town for food. The rest have been getting pizza and an early night. 

Ok eyelids drooping again. Exciting day tomorrow with JP joining although tinged with sadness as Kolya will be leaving. :-) 

The above church in Beaune was adapted to form a projection screen. An amazing light show emerged as we walked back to our room. 

Dinner done and dusted its a beautiful town. Time for bed and a big day tomorrow 104 miles and 8000feet plus of climbing. 

:-) I LOVE MY BIKE!!