Day 11 Sully- Charité sur Loire 121km. Total to date 652km total to Freising 1050km

Another long day planned, frustratingly going south and we wanted east. However the river planned its route many years ago and we were following its course so had no choice.

I didn’t anticipate it being such a long day as it was, but explanation comes later.

From our accommodation to the cycle track we needed to cross the river. This old railway bridge had been converted for bikes and pedestrians: great idea.

The 800 m aqueduct at start of the 200 km long Canal du lateral à la Loire, at Briare. Very impressive and fun to cross.

Pretty canal bridges and locks for a change

Another hot day and another swim in the longest pool I’ve ever been in! 600 kms and still going.

Needing a break I spotted a small town coming up on the map, called Sancerre, which would surely have some refreshments and enable us to replenish our cold water supply. We both agreed that it would be a good place to go to.

Unfortunately the bike map app took us a direct route which would have been great for electric mountain bikes, but not for our heavily laden tourers. Sue had a fall as well on the loose rocks which didn’t help her mood.

We finally made it to the top of the 500 ft hill and fortunately found an open bar and refreshed ourselves.

Fabulous view of the Sancerre vineyards and the Loire on the right.

Feeling refreshed and rested, we had a fabulous zoom down the hill around nice sweeping bends to get to the river. Only another 30 kms to pedal to our destination.🥴😵‍💫😵

Both our batteries had suffered from the steep climb so they were on their last legs, like us!