After breakfast with the lads from the nuclear plant we set off in good spirits at 7-30, aiming to get to Chalons-Sur-Soane. The morning went well, and after 5 days we finally worked out that if you stop after every 12-15km for a quick drink and a stretch, the journey seems more achievable.
We stocked up on energy bars and then Dave had another puncture, after which his back wheel started to disintegrate. Poor Dave was in low spirits, blaming himself for our poor progress. I tried to gee him up, and offered to try and fix the wheel. The first attempt made the bike like something a clown would enter the big top in. After a few other 'gentle' approaches, I lost my rag and fixed it good. I tightened all the spokes like violin strings and used two CO2 cartridges to pump up his back tyre. Three miles later it exploded - I thought we were being targetted by a sniper.
Anyway, bike goosed in the middle of nowhere, 25 miles from Chalons, I managed to get a taxi via the tourist office, and while Dave waited for it, I cycled the last 25 miles in an hour and twenty mins.
Did a total of 81 miles today. Dave got us a very swanky apartment booked, and we had steaks for tea. Feeling good, and very grateful to the guys at Bicycle Repair Man for setting up MY grid really well... Tomorrow we fix Dave's bike and carry on.
Well over half way now.
PC
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| Just before it all went Pete Tong ... |
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