Day 11 Tuesday 9/10/13 Figeac - Entraygues 36 Miles / 60 Kms

Total miles to date - 565 miles.

36 Mile Wonder along the River Lot

There are some days that it’s more than about the ride – it is about an experience.  For me, today is one of those few cycling days I can count on one hand.

Since this is a short day, we got started at 10:15 am, already a good day for me.  Secondly, the predicted rain happened over night and cleared before our ride.  It was a chilly 50 degrees to start - the day ended at about 67 degrees. 

Today we left the Dordogne River valley and moved onto the Lot River valley.  In order to do that, we had to climb a so called “hill”.  At home we call them mountains, but here they are hills – I can’t wait to climb their mountains!

So, right out of the hotel we started a seven mile climb to get to the other side.  It was slow going on cold legs but no problem, I warmed up quickly.  The first three miles were a steady steep 6 and 12 percent grade with a few 18 percent’ers thrown in for good measure.  We don’t climb straight up; it is a more sideways winding back and forth upward if you get what I mean.  We flattened out for ½ mile and then resumed our climb for the next four miles.  The views on the top were “stunning” as my Brit friends would say.

What are those power lines doing ruining my picture?

 

 

 

There were some great black berries at the foot of that cross.






What goes up must come down – a seven mile descent is a fitting reward to all that climbing.  This was a twisty turny flight right down to the River Lot.  Sorry, no pictures here, I had to hold on for dear life as I twisted and turned my way down.

What followed in the second half of the day was truly the highlight of the trip so far for me.  I feel too small to put into words a way to describe God’s great creation known as the Lot River valley. 

I’ll let these pictures do the talking.

The gardens along the river were unbelievable.  I saw lettuce, tomato's, beans, yellow squash, zucchini, onions, cabbage, and more.  No fences, must be no deer around - I am sure they hunt them and eat them too.

So, we stuck with the river on a well-maintained but virtually unused minor road way that took us all the way to our hotel in the small town of Entraygues, with its picture postcard medieval bridge.

 I liked both of these pictures and couldn't decide which to include, so I put in both. Do you see how the bee moved from flower to flower?

 

 

 

 

 

Richard is ready for lunch.  Some spread don't you think?

 

 
 

 

 

 

                                            View from my hotel room











 
Tomorrow is a 75 mile day so I am out of here.  Hope you are enjoying this trip half as much as I am.

Blessings.  Tom