we started out around nine from Auxerre, getting back to the Yonne and the Canal Nivernais. They intertwine and join occasionally so it’s impossible to know which one you’re following at a given moment. we have almost a hundred kilometers planned but it should be relatively easy, though we’re going up the river which means a lot of steep little inclines when we encounter one of the many, many locks.
the weather unexpectedly remains good, cloudy at times but without the promised rain showers, so we consider ourselves lucky. we encouter few other people, a couple of fellow bike travellers, some locals fishing in the river/canal/pond or a family out for a walk. aside from the climbs at each lock and bridge the route is easy, but we quickly feel the extra weight of the luggage in our legs and our speed varies between twelve and fourteen kilometers per hour. I almost regret bringing my big camera and zoom lens, but it’s worth it when I stop to take a picture, the image is much better than what a – admittedly light – cell phone could achieve.
the weather unexpectedly remains good, cloudy at times but without the promised rain showers, so we consider ourselves lucky. we encouter few other people, a couple of fellow bike travellers, some locals fishing in the river/canal/pond or a family out for a walk. aside from the climbs at each lock and bridge the route is easy, but we quickly feel the extra weight of the luggage in our legs and our speed varies between twelve and fourteen kilometers per hour. I almost regret bringing my big camera and zoom lens, but it’s worth it when I stop to take a picture, the image is much better than what a – admittedly light – cell phone could achieve.
along the canal we see at different points five blue herons, a few woodpeckers and uncountable small song birds. in the sky sometimes a couple of birds of prey, though I have no idea which type. we take frequent breaks: a sun screen break around ten, then a nut-bar at eleven and lunch at one thirty: a caesar salad with an ice cream for desert.
in the afternoon we start a guessing game to keep our minds of the tired legs: I’m thinking of.. a movie/song/person/place. it stays dry but the air is getting more and more humid, bringing a new danger: thunderbugs all over the place, sticking to the sun screen on our arms and legs (not really a problem) but also getting into our eyes, requiring a stop and delicate Kleenex extraction.
our resting place for today does not lay by the canal, but a few kilometers of hilly road away. we arrive at six thirty after 99,3 kilometers – a personal record.
- total distance: 132,1 km
- distance today: 99,3 km
- cycling hours today: 6:22 h
- average speed: 15,6 km/h
Febe writes 