80 miles
As we headed out of Le Havre, following the ubiquitous orange markers the organisers used to mark the route, we passed through a tunnel littered with glass and debris. Needless to say there were numerous punctures and the day seemed to be littered with riders stopping to repair their tyres. It was at this point that we passed and then stopped to help Miss Peta Todd, the Sun’s Page 3 Girl who whose doing the ride.
The first memorial site visited was at Fontaine La Malet. The site was the battleground high above Le Havre. A Churchill Tank was suitably situated with an anti tank ditch over which was placed a replica of an assault bridge. Adjacent to this a memorial wall had been constructed, housing all the Memorial Plaques and badges which were originally present.
Onwards and I was riding fast and easy, my mucker was doing a steady Norfolk pace. Whence we came upon a group starting to form on a lane, where all riders had been stopped as the route markers had been moved and the riders were about to head off into a forest! The impromptu stop seemed to help morale for those who needed it, especially in a beautiful spot. Normandy was proving to be delightful countryside. However, my riding buddy had his first puncture, so the score was one all.
Lunch was a damp squib as the clouds which had been threatening all morning opened and the wind got up. We huddled under the mean shelter until we decided enough was enough and moved off. As we ascended away from St Valerie en Caux the roads opened up into beautiful countryside and the sun broke through. Through picturesque villages the two of us spun until, mid afternoon, we heard the call of a cup of chocolate. So turning off the designated route we used our initiative and rode into the lovely seaside village of Veules les Roses and found the delightful Hotel Douce France. Here we were able to take our time in the rose-bordered courtyard, in bright sunshine, whilst we gratefully answered the call of a marvellous cup of home made chocolat.
On to Dieppe, journeying up a large cliff face and down the other side into the well known resort. As we came to a stop on the outskirts to be directed to our hotels, we were told to turn right at the next lights. As we did so we were greeted by the sight of a mile long very steep hill climb to our particular hotel. Not a good way to finish the day! The evening meal was chicken.