3rd July. Cycle ride near Reims, France.

Wednesday 03 July, Circular from Reims

34 miles, almost 1100 feet of ascent and descent. Very hot weather again.

We set off at about 10 am from Reims. First stop was Sacy, where we made ourselves a coffee, since we couldn't see a convenient café.

The old lavoir provided shade and seating.

Nearby they were preparing to celebrate the passage of the Tour de France - not through the village itself but on the road in the valley.

I asked if the maillot jaune was for me, but it seems not!

So onward and upward and along some vineyard tracks.

Not a lot of shade.

More of a mountain bikers' area according to this.

 A church among the vineyards

 Grapes.

We headed uphill towards a wooded area.

 There was even some mud, but the shade was welcome, so we stopped for a lunchtime picnic.

Our map was not great, and signposts were a bit lacking. After riding for some time we stopped in Sarcy, at an American-style bikers bar. This was just after the American women's soccer team had beaten both France and England! But the lemonade was good!!

After another unintentional detour and 15 miles or so of riding we arrived back at Anne's.

Another delicious meal on the veranda, as the evening cooled.