Nantes - Pont de St Nazaire - Nates 120 km

Then a short tour without luggage, which is good every now and then. The first 60 km again into a headwind. Three hours towards the Atlantic, first out of Nantes and then always along the Loire. Beautiful little villages and lots of nature. These last few kilometers of the Loire Valley are really beautiful. Around midday I reached the bridge over the Loire, the last one over this river and what a bridge it was, huge. So big that it could be seen from 10 km away. And a lot of traffic over this bridge, with divided traffic. In reality, this means a narrow strip along the roadway. Up to the highest point of the bridge, with strong gusts of wind and then down, at just under 60 km/h. At the top, I remembered that I don't like heights, as usual. Anyway, I was right back down again. Then back on the other side of the river, unfortunately not quite as idyllic as the outward journey. On the way I stopped in a bar, one of those really awful French cafés. There were 8 young men in uniform celebrating Thursday lunchtime with pastis and beer in their hands. They looked as if they were still at work or about to go back to work. All is still right with the world here. I was back in Nates around 3 o'clock, the way back was faster than the way there, much faster, although a little longer. A tailwind is nice, both when cycling and in life. You have to think about it. Then I had a look at Nates. I like this city, big city, but very clean with a really nice old town. Then back to the hotel to pack. Now I'm sitting here at half past five, still writing the notepad and have to get out straight away, my train to Paris is leaving soon, on that note.