Day 2 - Sep 28th 2012 Ouistreham to Vimoutiers (Total 48 miles - Running Total 143 miles)

Awoke very early to get to the port to catch the early 7am fast crossing from Poole to Cherbourg. Thankfully the crossing was smooth and we arrived in Cherbourg mid morning. We then had to drive some 70 odd miles to Ouistreham to pick up the original route. Brittany Ferries really did mess up the day with their stupid strike but by lunchtime we arrived in Ouistreham and I was back on course cycling along the estuary, over the bridge and heading to Vimoutiers via Troan in gorgeous unbroken sunshine.

The first thing that struck me was just how geared up for cyclists the French are. Compared to the third world roads I was used to training on in Hertfordshire, their roads are fabulous and generally so well maintained with an abundance of cycle lanes. The courtesy that drivers show to cyclists has to be experienced to be believed. Once out of Ouistreham I was soon enjoying the quiet rural roads of Normandy and despite getting hopelessly lost in Troan, I made good progress to arrive in Vimoutiers by late afternoon. Finding the hotel proved to be a bit of a challenge but after a really steep climb, I eventually descended down to the most gorgeous setting to the lakeside hotel. Sadly dinner was in a rather second rate Pizzeria in Vimoutiers.

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