Polite Tours France 2017. Nice to Bordeaux.

Thu 10 Aug 2017 - Mon 21 Aug 2017

No real plans other than two weeks of complete solitude. Cheap flights booked, to Nice and from Bordeaux, although the devil in me is toying with turning right and cycling to Italy. It's a slim chance so let's see. Due to inertia I have only just come to pack my tent but have no sleeping bag or mat, which in turn has given me the opportunity to credit card tour and justify this by acknowledging that my recent bad back was probably caused by lying on damp ground for too long which is probably why I binned the other two items. Besides I'm nearly 50 so I can cycle in relative comfort if I wish. More to follow.


10 Aug 2017 - 12 Aug 2017


Aug. 10, 2017, 4:47 p.m.

The steed is all set. Early start tomorrow to get to Gatwick for the flight. Hoping there are no complications or delays and that we all get to Nice in one piece (that rhymes phonetically).


Aug. 11, 2017, 5:33 p.m.

Nice that they have stand at Nice airport to help you put the bike back together. The flight was horrendous, 30 minutes waiting for a landing slot and then flying into a headwind to land. I find flying neither glamorous or fun so didn't enjoy it.


Aug. 11, 2017, 9:34 p.m.

Cycled to Cannes after, very briefly, considering turning right to go to Italy! After sorting the bike and the late landing I arrived in Cannes fairly late (7.45pm ish) so just time for a wander along the beach after having been turned away from three restaurants. A panino and ice cream did the job. Hilarious to see there was an open air hard house gig going on which was in full swing.


Aug. 12, 2017, 9:19 a.m.


Aug. 12, 2017, 9:47 a.m.


Aug. 12, 2017, 12:41 p.m.

Beautiful, undulating cycle along the coast to St. Raphaël, which is a beautiful town. Had my first lunch and pitcher of wine.


Aug. 12, 2017, 1:51 p.m.


Aug. 12, 2017, 9:28 p.m.


Aug. 12, 2017, 10:31 p.m.


13 Aug 2017 - 14 Aug 2017


Aug. 13, 2017, 12:42 p.m.


Aug. 13, 2017, 12:46 p.m.

I was compelled to visit St. Tropez, being so close, but this was a detour I hadn't really planned. I wasn't overly impressed but I feel it's a place you have to get to know but also be loaded to enjoy. I took a 15 minute ferry back to Sainte Maxime and then cycled back some of the way I had already come (to St. Aygulf) before heading towards Draguignan. It was the first time I realised just how hot it is. On the way I contrived to get caught up, literally, - I was told by the lead car to get out of the way - in a road race.


Aug. 13, 2017, 3:56 p.m.


Aug. 13, 2017, 4:50 p.m.

Said road race.


Aug. 13, 2017, 7:56 p.m.

Draguignan completely non-descript but I did have a delicious entrecôte grillé although by asking for ben-cuit I knew it would be rare even though it was frowned upon.


Aug. 14, 2017, 11:26 a.m.


Aug. 14, 2017, 12:59 p.m.


Aug. 14, 2017, 5:05 p.m.


Aug. 14, 2017, 8:48 p.m.

A crazy long day in the saddle, 117km, I'd say 15km probably added through poor navigation. I've yet to understand why it is so easy to cycle directly into any French city or town but exactly the opposite, for me, to get out!


15 Aug 2017 - 16 Aug 2017


Aug. 15, 2017, 12:30 p.m.


Aug. 15, 2017, 3:25 p.m.

Another great day's cycling and a fair distance; 97km. Arrived in another non-descript town, Arles, but the highlight was cycling through various towns on the national holiday day. At 3pm in the afternoon, rammed full of people eating, drinking and dancing to music. Beautiful! The picture is in Maussane-les-Alpilles and this feeling is dedicated to all who appreciate the simple things, arguably easier with half a litre of wine.


Aug. 15, 2017, 8:13 p.m.


Aug. 16, 2017, 4:41 p.m.

Arrived at a Décathlon just before Montpellier as my gears were clunking. I explained all this, in French, and it was fixed within an hour. The UK could learn a lot about customer service and being quick.


Aug. 16, 2017, 7:17 p.m.


Aug. 16, 2017, 8:22 p.m.

I rate Montpellier, its funky but not typically French. A lovely little city.


Aug. 16, 2017, 9:25 p.m.


18 Aug 2017 - 20 Aug 2017


Aug. 18, 2017, 1:52 p.m.

A good run today from Béziers to Carcassonne. I think I may take the train to Toulouse tomorrow, I just don't fancy riding a main road. It all depends on whether the canal du midi is fit to go all the way but it's 100km so unsure. Tbc.


Aug. 18, 2017, 3:30 p.m.


Aug. 18, 2017, 5:26 p.m.


Aug. 18, 2017, 8:27 p.m.


Aug. 19, 2017, 10:09 a.m.


Aug. 19, 2017, 2:22 p.m.


Aug. 20, 2017, 12:35 p.m.


Aug. 20, 2017, 1:59 p.m.


Aug. 20, 2017, 2:22 p.m.


Aug. 20, 2017, 2:25 p.m.


Aug. 20, 2017, 8:13 p.m.


21 Aug 2017


Aug. 21, 2017, 11:55 a.m.


Aug. 21, 2017, 1:21 p.m.


Aug. 21, 2017, 1:22 p.m.


Aug. 21, 2017, 7:04 p.m.


Aug. 21, 2017, 7:37 p.m.