It was definitely not a shorts day today! In fact it was quite cold so we rugged up before leaving Ancenis but had to stop along the way to don rain jackets to keep the wind from blowing right through us, though the cold didn't seem to bother the several groups of runners we passed.
The ride to Oudon was easy and enjoyable, and just as we reached the town, raindrops began to fall....great timing as we were able to park the bikes under some scaffolding and take refuge in a cafe
Leaving Oudon was a bit tricky as there was a large market in progress, people everywhere and traffic jams in the narrow streets so a visit to the chateau was deemed too difficult, but once out of the busy part of town we found the path and were on our way again until.....a sign saying the path was closed and we should take an alternative route.
The trouble was, as there was no indication as to which was the correct route, we went the wrong way up a very steep hill, found a friendly local cyclist who was happy to assist us with directions and we backtracked, found the path and continued on. The path was not a good one,
and concentration was required to avoid the major ruts, potholes, loose rocks and muddy patches.
When we reached the closed section,
on close inspection we decided it was the only way through without going all the way back to Oudon and riding on the road from there. As it was Sunday, no work was being done so we made our way through a gap in the barrier and bumpety bumped our way along the track between the railway line and the Loire, meeting other cyclists who'd also ignored the 'closed' signs and passing a series of architectural features cut into the cliff face rising behind the railway line.
When we at last reached a clearing with a picnic table, we stopped to eat the lunch we'd brought with us, chatting to a French couple who'd become lost while on a run and another couple on bikes, one of which was a three wheeler with a large box attached to the front for their very large dog!
We were intrigued by a picnic table, alongside the path, which was covered by an assortment of video tapes. There was no sign or note of explanation so we're still wondering what that was all about.
Desperation stakes led us to a public WC in a park at Mauves-sur-Loire before rejoining the track and on to a quiet country road with marshy foreshore and intensive vegetable cultivation, past a vast camping area and stopping beside a football pitch at a kiosk where we bought cold drinks.
It was not far then to Nantes and after checking in to our hotel, we went walking into the old town....so much more attractive than the newer part of town and visited the cathedral,
shared an excellent pizza washed down with wine and beer and returned to the hotel, by now turning blue as it was bitterly cold. We'll be here for two nights so will explore some more tomorrow.
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