Heading out of town we were happy to see that we were on course for our destination.
An ancient bridge with its modern counterpart in the distance. Wonder which will still be here in 500 years.
Reaffirming what we already determined. The depiction matched the pictures.
The designated veloroute was along a different road than my programmed course. Wonder if that would have been more picturesque, although ours was pretty nice.
Yet another flower decorated bike. This one actually looks usable.
A smiling cyclist with the words "share the road".
Are we the "share-ee" or "share-er"? Only the cars and trucks know for sure.
Clear skies all the way to the water. Guess we picked the right destination.
Main street in some town or other. They all look the same but thankfully the cobble stone section was short.
Getting closer.
Uncooperative sheep. When I rode up they posed looking right at me, but got bored by the time I got the camera out.
Eating grass is more interesting.
That little spire sticking up in the far distance is our first sighting of Mont St. Michel.
Objects in the photo appear closer than they really are.
Oh and there is Kim on the right and our destination on the left.
Our goal was not only to see Mont St. Michel from afar but to ride across the causeway and tour the abbey. However, by the time we got there the place was open for business but too late to ride our bikes over. We could have walked our bikes to the island which takes about 35 minutes, or parked our bikes and taken the shuttle. With tourists galore the bus queue looked even longer. We intended to climb to the top and stroll around which would have taken some time, then transport ourselves (and bikes) back again. Since we were only 15 miles into our 34 mile ride we decided that we would be getting back to the starting point after the predicted rain would start. So we postponed the visit until tomorrow when we can drive all the way, bike over before the 10 AM deadline, stroll up and down, and get back to the mainland to complete a shortened ride. Tune in tomorrow for the latest developments.
Found the obligatory coffee stop but the pickings were slim. However, the coffee was excellent and refills were free. Not too shabby.
Taking the longer way back.
Les Pas - The footsteps.
Stopping to shed clothes we parked next to a corn field.
All throughout our riding we have come across expansive corn fields, with the cobs dying on the stalks.
Figured that instead of people food, this was animal food, and plenty of it.
Some of the fields were already harvested while others awaited the combine.
The corn looks edible but upon biting into the kernels discovered that they were harder than un-popped popcorn.
Guess when it is all ground up the cows don't care.
All along the route we passed or were passed by huge tractors pulling trailers full to the brim.
But where does it all go.
Mystery solved.
The tractors unload and a front end loader neatly piles it into a mound. The mound is then covered with black plastic to preserve it for winter feeding.
All along the way we road past, under, and around these trees. The roadway was strewn with fallen leaves and pods. It was like riding through a slalom course trying to avoid riding over the prickly fruit and getting a puncture.
Had to stop and get a closer look. The needles was actually soft and pliable; not thorn like.
And inside was a ripe chestnut.
We thought of harvesting some and roasting them back at the house, but it seemed like too much work.
Back in Ducey after a very pleasant "dry" ride in partially sunny skies. Guess the weather gods looked kindly on us.
Back home.
This is the outside of the old stone house. Formally a blacksmith's shop, the inside has been fully restored and upgraded.
Notice the flowers...
Yup. More hollyhocks.
While the sun was out before the rains came again a view of the back 40.
