WAY OUT WEST hotel based route
(Average 23, longest 36 miles - the long day being almost 100% flat on cyclepath so easy!) vanishingly quiet even in August - a real exploration of the heart of Brittany.
This is a really lovely ride through the unspoilt heartland of Brittany to the furthest West coastline of France. Much of the route is on bypassed mainroads which gives pretty direct routes with good surfaces but very little traffic. The distances are pretty short although the route is generally one of the more hilly ones, but don't let that put you off!
Route plan.
First night (Saturday) spent at a tiny Chambre D'Hotes near Mellionnec where our friends Didier and Michelle will spoil you rotten - really special...
Day 1 (sunday)- 48 kms
After breakfast an easy and very quiet ride to take you to the town of Huelgoat. This is in the heart of the Park Armoric (one of the National Parks of France) and the Hotel du Lac is situated right in the middle of this pretty little market town.
Day 2 - 37 kms
This day takes you through several little villages (with lunchtime restaurants - one of France's little secrets) and on to the market town of Chateaulin, near the coast and right on the canal/river. The hotel is where all the top Tour de France riders stay when they do the famous Chateaulin criterium and there are photo's in the bar of LeMond, Hinauld etc with the owner.
Day 3 - Free day
Lots of choice - hit the coast, wander round town, cycle up the 330m Menez Hom (fantastic views) - up to you.
Day 4 - 57 kms
This seems a long distance, but actually it's a bit of a cheat because 50 kms is on the canal cyclepath so flat:-) In fact the only hill of the day is the one to get you up to your Chambre D'Hote for this evening - and you'll be glad of the exercise to give you an apetite - It's a wonderful place Manoir de Toullaeron - an 18th century Manor complete with towers, flagged floors and a real 'chateau' feel. Here the patron will provide a beautiful meal for 22 Euro including wine. A very special place...
Day 5 - 28 kms
Again a day 'lost in France' and after the distance yesterday, today is pretty easy through the most perfect cycling country, and again much of the ride is on cyclepath, though today is along the old disused railway line, so quite different. The Hotel at Le Faouet is right next to one of the few remaining covered marketplaces - a beautiful slate roofed building with the most amazing roof timbers. The hotel is right in the square, and several people said last year that it had the best Restaurant of the week...
Day 6 - 35 kms
More lovely countryside (you'll be longing to see a power station by now) that brings you all the way back to the canal to stay just outside Glomel - another lovely Chambre D'Hotes where you can sit in the lounge and watch the birds in the marshes by the canal as you wait for dinner.
Day 7 (Saturday) - 20kms
A wander down the canal towpath for about an hour or so to bring you back to base.