September 17th
We woke up to a glorious sunrise over the canal, right from our tent door. By the time we’d eaten and packed up ready to go, the sun was replaced by clouds but, still no rain.
Within 100m we were obstructed by a tree cutting operation and had to drive a bit offroad, but we managed not to tip the trike over. Pretty soon after the canal cycle path was closed for a fishing competition. On a Tuesday morning, in rural France.
We managed to get on an adjacent road and it turned out the comp was huge and international. We saw teams from the Netherlands all the way to Serbia. Even one from Wales, who we gave a cheer too. The competition went on and on along the canal path, easily over 1km.
Eventually it ended and we got back on. Only to be stopped by another closure a few hundred meters along for more of this same fishing competition.
Eventually it ended and we cycled on. Stopped at Carrefour for some essentials. Obviously including some pastries. Back on the cycle path, we had our first mechanical setback. Luckily it was only a puncture to the rear left tyre, nothing major.
Turned out there was actually 2 punctures in the tube for the price of one. We got it sorted in good time and were pedalling away again. It did make us realise that we had brought 2 spare inner tubes in our bag of goodies, but no puncture repair kit. So we should probably address that.
We veered away from the canal to head for a bike shop in the next town. However when we arrived, it was closed for a long lunch. Not wanting to waste time and knowing it wasn’t urgent we powered onwards. By coming into this town we somehow found ourselves then on a cycle path signposted to Lille, which is where we wanted to go. A mere 24km away. So it wasn’t all a waste.
But, the main theme of the day reared its head again. The head wind. Turns out the tricycle with all our stuff piled on catches a lot of wind. And we would spend most of today cycling straight into it. Definitely working harder than normal and going 5-8 m/h slower. That mere 24km was a bit of a slog.
At one point I dropped my sunglasses. Kindly the next 3 cars behind us slowed and avoided them. But, after I’d gotten off to retrieve them, the next car went straight over them, front & back tyres.
However, I picked up the lenses and frames and somehow they weren’t broken. I was able to slot the lenses back in and hey presto. Barely a scratch on them. I should probably send a photo to the company saying good job, good product.
We made it to Lille and headed to a bike shop. I would shout them out but the name is so long I can’t remember or type it. As we approached, the owner was outside smoking and he had a little chuckle when we pulled up. He then seemed to love the trike and brought out everyone that worked there to come and have a look. They even brought some customers to come out and look too.
We got 2 more inner tubes, a puncture repair kit, some brake pads and a spare tyre as the back ones are getting shredded. They then gave us two more inner tubes for free. Louis couldn’t get over how cheap it was. He reckons we made money if anything.
Getting out of Lille we hit every red light in the city. That, plus a sprinkling of wrong turns meant that it was pretty long until we rejoined the cycle route outside the city. We did eventually get there and we were on our way to Belgium.
We ploughed on and didn’t even notice that we’d crossed into Belgium. There was no sign or mention of a border but we saw we’d already passed the border town of Wattrelos. Our trusty friend the headwind still prevailed though. Louis and I speak zero French so it was good news to cross into Belgium. But, the canal straddles the border between the Flemish and French speaking parts of Belgium. People passing us on the path said bonjour, so we weren’t out of the woods yet.
We pedalled on and as the time ticked past 5pm we decided to buy some water before finding a place to camp for the night. We turned off the canal to the closest town. Cycling through Outrijve where everything was closed, before going into Avelgem where we found a supermarket. While I went in and practiced my child-like Flemish, Louis managed to use the free car tyre pump at the petrol station. Just before we set off again, I replied to a few messages saying where we’d got to so far.
We got back to the canal path and as we were scouting potential spots, Lieselot called and said her friend Emma’s parents live in Avelgem and we could put our tent in their garden. We took her up and pedalled back to the town. We found the right house and met Sabine & Johan. We can’t thank them enough for their warm hospitality! We sat in their garden and had aperitif drinks & snacks while we chatted about our trip. We ended up saying yes to their offer of a bedroom plus shower and bathroom. Not wanting to out of politeness but, very easily persuaded into saying yes and taking it. The shower was much needed for the both of us. They then cooked us dinner and we sat and had a lovely evening meal and chatting away.
A fantastic surprise and coincidence that it all happened. Thanks to Sabine, Johan, Emma and Lieselot!
Daily stats:
90.5 km, 5 hr 33 moving time. 566m elevation gain.
Cumulative Trip stats:
241.2 km, 13 hr 46, 1,434m elevation gain.
