A Lap of the île-D’Oléron by Bike

[bikemap 1337213]

[![Mel makes easy progress on the sand](http://davemeehan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/photo-13.jpg “Mel makes easy progress on the sand”)](http://davemeehan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/photo-13.jpg “Mel makes easy progress on the sand”)
Mel makes easy progress on the sand

A cracker of a day today, blue skies and a few wispy clouds, temperature about 17 degrees and lovely sitting in the sun or peddling along. After a slow start we got out about 11:30, getting back about 5pm after a 40 mile lap of the island. Legs feel like they’ve done it for sure, and Mel put in a sterling performance considering the lack of practice. Only mild complaints about saddle/arse compatibility!

[![Lovely long stretch of sandy beach – all to ourselves](http://davemeehan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/photo-23.jpg “Lovely long stretch of sandy beach – all to ourselves”)](http://davemeehan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/photo-23.jpg “Lovely long stretch of sandy beach – all to ourselves”)
Lovely long stretch of sandy beach - all to ourselves

The highlight was about a mile of cycling on the sand, made easier for Mel by being lighter and having the Schwalbe Big Apple balloon tyres. I kept sinking into the sand, the trick was to keep the speed up and not try to go uphill!

[![Your scribe, trying to look cool with the sun in his eyes](http://davemeehan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/photo-32.jpg “Your scribe, trying to look cool with the sun in his eyes”)](http://davemeehan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/photo-32.jpg “Your scribe, trying to look cool with the sun in his eyes”)
Your scribe, trying to look cool with the sun in his eyes

[![Mel making progress again, and having to avoid the only other user on the beach](http://davemeehan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/photo-41.jpg “Mel making progress again, and having to avoid the only other user on the beach”)](http://davemeehan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/photo-41.jpg “Mel making progress again, and having to avoid the only other user on the beach”)
Mel making progress again, and having to avoid the only other user on the beach

4 thoughts on “A Lap of the île-D’Oléron by Bike

    1. I use Camera+ on the iPhone, which has a couple of great filters that can be applied. Must admit, these did come out rather otherworldly! The one of me is more true to life, i.e. the sand really is yellow!

      1. Phew, Dave thank goodness for that – I was beginning to think we had gone at the wrong time of the year (tho I dont think there is one!).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *