April 23, 2011

For a second day we use the cycle tracks through the forests.  We are like cycling robots – we just sit on the bikes and pedal – because the ground is flat it takes no effort. 

We aim to cover 100 km, but when we reach that point we can´t find a camp-site; there are plenty of them but they are all closed.  We end up cycling in the pitch dark for over 20 km.  One benefit of cycling at dusk through the forest is that we see deer at close range along the track.  Ken´s lights keep going out – another ‘multi-tool moment’.  He sorts out the connections and we are back on the road in the dark  – I have never ridden a bike in the dark before – it’s good fun.  We reach Montalivet-les-Bains at 10.30pm.  The municipal camp-site is closed until 1 May, but the side gate is open.  We push our bikes through and pitch the tent – are we the first people to have ‘wild camped’ on a camp-site?