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Sun Sep 4th 2022

Battlefield Tour - France, Day 2	3*

Leader: Richard Pethybridge	Start Time: 9:00 am	Start Location: Bayeux
Description: Day 2 of the Normandy trip, basically heading on a meandering route back towards the ferry port at Ouistreham. Lunch is planned for the bistro next to Pegasus Bridge.
Riders: David Bridge David Jackson Eddie Little Guy Pethybridge Jo Little John Davies 2 John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Neil Bridge Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Stephanie Haddrell Riders = 13 Weather: Report: Sunday dawned to reveal a gorgeous sunny morning and perfect early autumn conditions for a ride. After a tasty breakfast we left Bayeux on a wandering route, stopping first at the Commonwealth Cemetery (the largest WW2 one in Europe) and then for the obligatory group photo at the cathedral. A lovely rolling route through very pretty countryside followed, including a brief stop at another CWGC cemetery at Ryes. An enforced diversion (apparently we were not allowed to share the roads with a running race) took us through Creully, with the fortuitous provision therein of a toilet break not involving convenient vegetation! A brief stop at the museum near Douvres-la-Deliverande that showcases a German radar station was followed by a really nice run further east to the Caen Canal and a welcome lunch at the "Trois Planeurs" café next to Pegasus Bridge. After the obligatory explanation of Operation Deadstick (including the fact that Lt Richard Todd was one of the first troops to relieve the original attackers, before going on to play Maj Howard, who led the attack, in the film "The Longest Day" the group split with the Abingdon crew occupying themselves in the afternoon until their later ferry. The rest headed north along the canal towpath in the sunshine and a pleasant tail-wind towards the port at Ouistreham. As we caught the very welcome sight of our ferry berthed alongside, Karen and Jon left us to continue their holiday and the rest of checked in for the voyage home. All in all, despite changes to ferries, coach trips, diversions and one flat tyre this was an excellent weekend away with a super group of people. And I even managed to plan a little bit of off-road action for Guy on his MTB as a reward for his excellent sweeping
Distance: 57.50 km (35.73 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/101964551
At the Bayeux cemetery Exploring the Bayeux cemetery Group photo by Bayeux cathedral Wheeling through Normandy Cornfields of Normandy The peloton rides the canal! Waiting for the ferry home Embarking on the Caen-Portsmouth ferry
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40546046"
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Start Locations: WMP
Wantage Market Place; OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove

Categories: 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.; 2* - Suitable for regular riders who prefer to cover some distance but at a more relaxed pace. Likely to be half-day rides. Solid exercise.; 3* - Suitable for experienced riders, may be hilly, long, quick, or any combination! Likely to be half or full-day rides. Challenging exercise.; 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.; More Information