| Fourteen of us met at a picturesque
hotel in Les Eyzies. We were amazed to see Tony and Angela there
too - we had cycled with them on another Chain Gang tour last
year (Provence). Our guide introduced himself as Ciaran - a bit
younger and fitter than any of us looked for sure! A welcome meal,
some wine and lots of introductions - and we went to bed looking
forward to a week of good cycling, great food and wine, and fun
companions. |
|
|
|
Sunday - Les Eyzies / Limeuil / Beynac
A light drizzle soon faded away as we
cycled along the Vezere river towards Limeuil.
A fairly easy day of 35 miles but fairly
flat riding.
Chris stands at the foot of Beynac -
a pretty village dominated by the castle set 500 feet above
- once the seat of Richard the Lion Heart.
|
|
We cycled up a very steep
cobbled road into Beynac which turned out to be the wrong way
- but worth it anyway for the amazing view of the Dordogne (river!).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monday - La Roque Gageac / Domme / Payrac
A quick rest and regroup at La Roque
Gageac, a prehistoric fort built into the side of a cliff
beside the Dordogne. Twenty-five miles today - shorter but
with a couple of climbs.
|
It was worth the 450 foot climb to Domme
- what a fantastic view of the river!
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Tuesday - Payrac / Rocamadour / Gouffre
de Padirac / Loubressac
Rocamadour - okay, a good long climb for
sure, but not too steep! Developed around the site of a 13th
Century hermitage on the side of a cliff, 1500 feet above the
river below.
|
|
|
|
More Rocamadour... well, had to get one
of the fairy-tale tower (and the princess!!!).
Tony, Ciaran, Karen,David and Monica...
with the rest of us in the distance... and you can see the castle
at Rocamadour behind us.
|
|
|
Visited the amazing caves at
Padirac - 300 feet deep, and definitely worth descending down into
the cold depths - actually a welcome relief from the heat of the day!
No photographs allowed in there though - sorry. And finally, just
one (!) more hill to Loubressac. About 28 miles of some good climbing
but some good downhills too! Hardest day so far - I think.
Next page of photos
- Dordogne II or Previous
page of photos - Cap Ferret
|
