iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I wandered down to Floriade today and managed to take some acceptable photos.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Flowers from my garden today. Spring is making itself known.

A pale daffodil with purple irises in the background.

An iris against a background of camellia leaves.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I rode 3,200km in four months. I travelled entirely by my own muscle power apart from two flights, three ferries and two brief rides on the London Underground. If you have enjoyed my reminiscing, there is more on my blog written at the time. www.kevinsgrandadventure.wordpress.com

The first leg of my flight was from London to Singapore.

The second leg of my flight was from Singapore to Sydney.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Day 123 was the final day of my European adventure last year. I hung around the Radisson Hotel for most of the day before I rode back through the airport tunnel to the terminal to catch my flight back to Australia.

My route for the day from the Radisson Hotel to Terminal 3.
Yes, I did take the wrong exit from that roundabout and it did take a while to find a spot to turn back, but I had plenty of time up my sleeve.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Day 122 was the last full day of the English leg of my adventure. I rode from Slough to a hotel beside Heathrow airport, taking in both Windsor and Eton. My focus turned to preparations for the flight home and avoiding some dull, grey English weather.

My route for the day from Slough to Heathrow.

My laden trike parked on the pedestrian bridge over the Thames River between Windsor and Eton.

A view of several buildings at Windsor Castle.

Tourists walking away from part of the wall of Windsor Castle.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Day 121 was rainy so I abandoned the idea of walking from Slough to Windsor and instead had a shorter walk through Slough. I found it a tired, down-at-heel place with little sign of joy among its people.

A view of dull, grey, cloudy skies from my Slough hotel window.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I did enjoy reading The Great American Novel by Philip Roth. I still have my 1975 paperback copy.

Front cover of The Great American Novel, by Philip Roth. First published in 1973.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Day 120 took me from Hurley to Slough. I was conscious of coming towards the end of my adventure, which left me fairly unmotivated for riding long distances or chasing new experiences. Reading a book and glancing out at dismal grey weather seemed sufficient for the day.

My route for the day from Hurley to Slough.

A view of the railway bridge over the Thames at Maidenhead.

A view of the Thames at Maidenhead from a rowing club on the left bank of the river, with a white building on the far bank and the first arch of the road bridge beside it.

A milepost in Slough giving a distance of 21 miles to London. It is surrounded by rubbish, which seemed to me to be typical of the state in which Slough finds itself.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Day 119 gave me a chance to see places I’d only ever heard about, often in quite vague terms. The Icknield Way, Chiltern Hills, Henley on Thames. My day ended at Hurley where I stayed at Ye Olde Bell, reputedly the oldest pub in England.

My route for the day from Shillingford to Hurley.

My laden trike parked on the Icknield Way at a spot where it is also known as The Ridgeway as it crosses Britwell Hill Road.

The sign for Henley on Thames on the A4130. There is a large bed of flowers growing at the base of the sign.

The sign at the front of Ye Olde Bell pub with a plaque on the wall stating it was "Built A.D. 1135"

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Day 118 gave me a gorgeous and fairly easy ride across the countryside from Reading through Woodcote and Winterbrook then on to Wallingford and finally to the Shillingford Bridge Hotel. It is indeed right at the end of the Bridge and is one of the nicest places I stayed in the whole trip.

My route for the day from Reading to Shillingford.

A view across the countryside on the descent from Woodcote.

Shillingford Bridge viewed from upstream with a canal boat moored on the right.

Two majestic white swans making their way under the Shillingford Bridge. As an Australian I am obliged to mention that they are white because our proper swans are black.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Day 117 was spent sorting out the final small mechanical problem on my trike, with special thanks to the manufacturer’s quick reply to an email, and then exploring Reading on foot. I enjoyed the main shopping precinct, Forbury Gardens and the ruins of Reading Abbey.

A view of the Reading Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin.

A huge lion statue in Forbury Gardens, Reading.

A hugely informative panel describing aspects of the ruins of Reading Abbey. There is too much text to be able to transcribe it here.

A view of parts of the walls of Reading Abbey ruins, showing the massive height and thickness of the structure.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Day 116 gave me a lovely ride from Farnborough to Reading. I started with a minor trike repair at the local Decathlon store, then meandered across country on fairly minor roads most of the way. My hotel was lovely, and I managed to get to a pub for a traditional Sunday roast dinner. Very English!

My route for the day from Farnborough to Reading.

The impressive front facade of the Sure Hotel where I stayed in Reading.

A view of Christ Church Reading, which sits opposite my hotel on Christchurch Road.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Day 115 took me from Alton to Farnborough. I met with hospitality, generosity, a chap mourning his divorce, a small mechanical issue, some fun and fast downhill sections, a couple of climbs as well (of course), and at the end a hotel across Farnborough Road from the famous Airport.

My route for the day from Alton to Farnborough.

A £5 note from the States of Jersey. I took the photo on this day, but I cannot remember why!

A fancy house I passed. It has a sign on the gate naming it as "The Hop Kiln" and the roof line resembles a hop kiln, but any further information is unknown to me.

A blue Rolls Royce parked beside my hotel in Farnborough.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Day 114 of my 2025 cycling tour took me from Winchester to Alton. The quiet back roads were scenic and relaxing. I also had a chance to relax at my hotel while my room was prepared, and then I went to explore the main street with interesting shops and businesses. I remember the day fondly.

My route for the day from Winchester to Alton.

A quiet and utterly scenic country road between New Alresford and Bighton, with trees beside the road and dappled light across the entire scene.

My laden trike in the back garden of the Alton House Hotel, where I rested on arrival while my room was prepared. There are white chairs in the background and a small rotunda, so I assume that there was a wedding there on the following day.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Day 113 had Cathedral bookends. I rode from Salisbury to Winchester, along quiet country roads, where I found blueberry bushes in fruit, horse droppings (some with car tyre marks!) and wide open views. I even had a view of Winchester Cathedral from my hotel window.

My route for the day from Salisbury to Winchester.

A flint stone wall beside the road on my route to Winchester.

The sign for Rick stein's restaurant near the entrance to my hotel, which prompted me to book a table there for my dinner.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Day 112 was given over to exploring Salisbury on foot and at the same time exploring my connections to Church and faith. At the end, I wrote about my priorities. Love. Kindness. Generosity. Peace. Connection. People.

The interior of the Church of St Thomas A'Becket, showing the marvellous light entering the nave through the large clear windows.

The Spire of Salisbury Cathedral above a row of trees against a cloudy sky.

A view of the Avon River flowing through the centre of Salisbury, edged by trees to the right and an open space accessed by steps on the left. The Cathedral spire is visible in the left background.

A view of several buildings along the edge of the Salisbury market square, including the Ox Row Inn where I ate my evening meal after attending the Choral Evensong in the Cathedral.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Day 111 gave me a delightful ride through quintessential English countryside scenery from Ringwood to Salisbury. My accommodation had no possible trike storage, so I used my priestly status to convince a local parish Church to let me store it in their facility rather than on the street.

My route for the day from Ringwood to Salisbury.

A wonderful thatched cottage with a thatch bird sculpture on the ridge silhouetted against a cloudy sky.

A cross-roads sign along my route. Among the pointers is one for the road to a spot called Mockbeggar. I know not what to make of any place called Mockbeggar, and I am glad that I don't have to say that I grew up in Mockbeggar!

The signs for the Royal Oak Inn, a little north of Mockbeggar.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

It's not hard. That said, this is a person who is known to have cheated in his previous main employment. My question is: Why would we be surprised if he cheats in another area of his life?

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Day 110 was the beginning of my journey back to Heathrow. I started in Poole and took a combination of roads and a rail trail to get to Ringwood. I was somewhat tired and grumpy, but I still managed to find some beauty, some things to learn and some lovely people along the way.

My route for the day from Poole to Ringwood.

A view of the Castleman Trailway heading towards Ringwood.

A herd of deer in a paddock beside the Castleman Trailway, with two white horses among them.

The view to the side on a bridge over the Avon River as the Castleman Trailway approaches Ringwood. A number of iron sleepers are visible, but the rails have been removed. There are, apparently, multiple Avon Rivers in both England and Wales.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Day 109 took me off the island of Jersey and back to England where I landed at Poole. I saw a little more of the centre of St Helier, and managed to navigate safely to my hotel in Poole before dark. The ferry trip was quiet and relaxed and dinner at the hotel was memorable.

My route from the Norfolk Hotel in Jersey through the centre of St Helier to the ferry terminal.

My route from the ferry terminal in Poole to the Shah of Persia Hotel.

A statue of several Jersey cattle in the centre of St Helier, commemorating the iconic local breed of dairy cattle.

My laden trike in the queue for the Poole ferry on Jersey.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Day 108 was my only full day in Jersey, so I went for an exploratory ride on the island. I headed west from St Helier, rode the only rail trail, up into the hills in the middle and back down to the coast. The sea is never far from the eye or the mind. Jersey is worth a visit.

My route for the day, starting and finishing in Saint Helier.

A view of Elizabeth Castle on a small island just off St Helier.

A view of a beach and distant headland on the west coast of Jersey.

A view of some of the many rocks off the coast of Jersey. Tides around Jersey can be up to 12 metres, so these rocks would be extremely dangerous for shipping.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Soooo much better than one I got from a wanker a few years ago that claimed his email was made using "recycled electrons"

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Day 107 took me from Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets to Saint Malo and then by ferry to Saint Helier in Jersey. The ferry trip ended after dark, so I used my lights for the first time getting to my hotel in town. My trike had to be chained up in the car park at the rear of the hotel.

The first part of my route for the day from Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets to Saint Malo, including some further exploration of Saint Malo itself and ending at the ferry terminal.

The second part of my route for the day, from the Saint Helier ferry terminal to the car park at the rear of the Norfolk Hotel.

A view of the A17 road in Saint Helier (called La Route du Fort) showing its entrance into a tunnel under the Fort Regent. I rode through here in the dark with my head and tail lights on as I went from the ferry terminal to my hotel. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the French and English names across the island.

A Jersey number plate on a vehicle waiting beside me for the ferry to start loading in Saint Malo.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Day 106 was my last full day in France. I rode from the Manoir de Blanche Roche at Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets to Saint Malo and back again. I wanted to explore the town a little and to be sure of the details for taking a ferry on the following day. I enjoyed Saint Malo and I did enjoy the sights.

My route for the day from Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets to Saint Malo and back.

A bus and trailer at the ferry port in Saint Malo. The signage indicates that the travel company specialises in electric bicycle tours, with the bus to transport riders and bikes between destinations. I allowed myself to feel very smug that I had done my tour powered purely by my own muscles.

A view of a sand beach outside the city walls of Saint Malo.

A square-rigger sailing ship at anchor in Saint Malo harbour.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Day 105 took me from Combourg to Saint-Jouan-des-Guerets, not far from Saint Malo. I had a late start because of an online meeting from Australia, and then a lovely ride that ended with issues finding my accommodation at Chambres du Manoir de Blanche Roche. It was a very pleasant place to stay.

My route for the day Combourg to Saint-Jouan-des-Guerets.

A mare and foal near the road at a point where I stopped for a coffee.

The front gate of the Manoir de Blanche Roche with a bicycle lock preventing entry. I could not believe that this was actually the entry to my accommodation when I finally found it, so I did a few more kilometres before I came back and found someone who could open it and sort things out.

The view of the garden at the Manoir de Blanche Roche from my bedroom window.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I was posted to Bourke High School in 1976 where another staff member's first name was Gaylord. He insisted on being called Gus. And yes, that was Bourke, as in "Back of …"

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Day 104 took me on a lovely flat ride from Rennes to Combourg. Much of the route was on a voie verte alongside the Canal d’Ille et Rance, with some pleasant small country roads as well. Combourg is a delightful spot, where I stayed in a lovely hotel beside the lake.

My route for the day from Rennes to Combourg.

A view of my hotel beside Le Lac Tranquille at Combourg, with the Château de Combourg behind it. I entered Combourg along the road on the left of the photo.

My trike was stored in the hotel basement for the night alongside some other guests' bikes

A schematic map of Combourg located in the centre of the city.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Day 103 was the day after my birthday and I spent my time exploring Rennes some more on foot. The Parc du Thabor was a gorgeous place to spend some time in peace and contemplation. I had a vision for what the rest of my adventure would be, but this day’s calmness was a gift for that day.

A walkway, lawn and garden bed in the Parc du Thabor in Rennes.

A lawn and garden beds in the Parc du Thabor in Rennes.

A view down a large stairway to a street at the Parc du Thabor in Rennes.

An old tree covered in a climbing plant in the Parc du Thabor in Rennes.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Day 102 was my 72nd birthday. I found a lovely restaurant near the Rennes Opera House to have a celebratory dinner of steak with pepper sauce and crème brulee for dessert, with champagne by the glass. Happy memories!

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Day 101 involved a simple transfer from Chantepie, on the outskirts of Rennes to a hotel close to the centre of the city, where I had three nights booked. I did lots of planning, aiming to manage my journey back to Heathrow for a flight at the end of the month.

My route for the day to the centre of Rennes.

I enjoyed a mid-morning coffee stop at this street-side cafe in Rennes.

The view from my hotel room into the inner courtyard of the hotel, with picnic tables and pot plants spread around a pebbled area and some bushes in the distance.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Day 100 of my 2025 adventure took me from Bain-de-Bretagne to Chantepie, on the outskirts of Rennes. There was changeable weather on a meandering route. The afternoon was comfortably warm for a walk to the shopping centre for some supplies. I was making also plans for how the adventure would end.

My route for the day from Bain-de-Bretagne to Chantepie.

A school crossing with striding figures on either side to mark it for motorists along my route.

A sign advertising a snail farm along my route for the day.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Day 99 took me from Châteaubriant to Bain de Bretagne. I tried a rail trail for the day, but it had stretches that promised both high rolling resistance and a high risk of punctures, so I took to the roads. Bain de Bretagne was a welcoming town and my hotel was comfortable with a lovely restaurant.

My route for the day from Châteaubriant to Bain de Bretagne.

The voie verte or rail trail started out looking very promising. Here is my laden trike at the start of the trail leaving Chateaubriant.

A sign beside the rail trail saying welcome to a town named Rouge and listing various local businesses.
Bar - Tabac - Presse
Boucherie - Charcuterie
Boulangeries
Epicerie - Alimentation
Pharmacie
Salons de Coiffure
Swim Golf

The top of the arch of an old brick bridge with the railway cutting beneath it now filled in.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Day 98 was spent exploring Chateaubriant. I encountered a huge outdoor market where the most surprising offering was a number of sewing machines. After that, nothing else was unexpected. I went on to explore the chateau and its slow repair and refurbishment.

The main entrance of the Chateau de Chateaubriant, looking out from within the castle walls.

One of the central buildings of the Chateau, with a wooden fence across the central lawn and a painting of a creature on the wooden palings. The painting is reminiscent of a medieval illuminated manuscript.

A view through an archway within the Chateau looking out across the city with a church spire in the distance against the blue sky.

Part of the outer wall of the Chateau which has been fully restored. Other parts are not in such a good condition.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Day 97 was a simple ride from Bonnoeuvre to Chateaubriant, marked by headwinds, a few hills and a sense of achievement in overcoming them both. I had a small apartment in the centre of town, and keeping my trike secure was my major concern. As with hills and headwinds, I overcame that too.

My route for the day from Bonnoeuvre to Chateaubriant.

The west end of the Eglise Saint Pierre et Saint Paul in Grand Auverne that I passed on the way to Chateaubriant.

A street view capture of the centre of Chateaubriant. My accommodation was through that red door, down a dark corridor, up some tight bendy stairs and through a coded door lock. I found a spot at the end of the corridor to store the trike.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Day 96 was a wonderful adventure from Segré to Bonnoeuvre, where the Loire valley lived up to its reputation for chateaux. They simply turned up around the odd corner, imposing, elegant, magical. I loved my ride, the people I encountered, the hotel that welcomed me and the sleep at the end.

My route for the day Segré to Bonnoeuvre.

A view of the Chateau de Falloux in Le Bourg d'Ire, viewed from its front gate.

A view of the Château de Challain-la-Potherie, viewed over a hedge from the Rue de l'Etang.

I had to pull over between a couple of parked cars to allow this "Convoi Exceptionnel" ("wide load" in Australia) to pass in Vallons-de-L'Erdre.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Day 95 was a lovely meander across the countryside from Angers to Segre. I saw a tethered helium balloon, gorgeous country roads and various sights around Segre. The town sits at the confluence of the Verdee and Oudon rivers, and has deep valley sides all around it.

My route for the day from Angers to Segre.

A tethered helium balloon on the outskirts of Angers. It does not rely on hot air to fly, so it has no control of altitude in the way that a hit air balloon does.

My trike parked beside a quiet rural road beside a high hedge, where I stopped to rest, eat and enjoy the serenity.

A vineyard on a steep slope beside the Oudon river in the centre of Segre. A car park is visible at the foot of the slope and some significant civic buildings are at the top of the slope.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I spent day 94 exploring Angers on foot. I was particularly taken by the sculptures I chanced upon, and by the impressive Château d'Angers, which really does match my mental image of what a ‘proper’ castle should look like. It really is a lovely city.

A view of the Rose des sables fountain and sculpture in Place Francois Mitterrand in Angers.

A sculpture of three figures on Quai Gambetta in Angers.

A view of the impressive walls of the Château d'Angers from the park beside the river Maine.

The dry moat and outer walls on the north-east side of the Château d'Angers.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Day 93 took me from La Pommeraye to Angers. I encountered a hill-climb track just outside La Pommeraye, quiet roads, river-side cycle ways (and their remarkable geology), occasional navigational challenges and at the end a bustling city beside the river Maine, a tributary of the Loire.

My route for the day from La Pommeraye to Angers. My significant navigational challenge is visible near Savennières, about halfway along the route.

Infrastructure near the top of the hill-climb course at La Pommeraye. There is a footbridge over the road and some armco fencing on the left of the photo.

My fully-laden trike sitting on a quiet country lane beside a stone wall with grapevines in the field and a stone shed beside the lane.

A towering rock formation beside the cycleway adjacent to the Loire river. A cyclist and his bike are visible on the left.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Day 92 was a day to head further up the Loire valley from Couffé to La Pommeraye. There were a couple of steep little inclines, the occasional chateau and at least one quintessentially French acknowledgement. Such a gorgeous day!

My route for the day from Couffé to La Pommeraye.

A view of the Château d'Ancenis guarding the northern end of the bridge over the Loire river at Ancenis.

The bridge over the Loire at Ancenis, known as the Pont Bretagne-Anjou. I had to ride on the main carriageway because the footpath was too narrow for my trike.

The Salle Pierre de Coubertin at La Pommeraye. He was the founder of the modern Olympics and I appreciated seeing this gymnasium named in his honour.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Day 91 took me up the Loire valley from Nantes to Couffe along a mix of riverside cycle paths and quiet country roads. It was good to be back on the move. I remember fondly a coffee stop at a boulangerie on its own among the fields beside a roundabout, and a warm welcome at my hotel.

My route for the day from Nantes to Couffe.

A view of the Loire River with a cycle path on the left and some railway electricity supply towers on the extreme left.

A beautiful old stone bridge over a stream at the western edge of Couffe.

A view of my hotel room at Couffe with my cycle helmet on the bed, panniers on the floor in front of the wardrobe and my own reflection in the wardrobe mirror.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Hey @carlafrancome.bsky.social do you remember me heading off to vote at Australia House after we had a coffee last year? You were taken aback at the idea of compulsory voting! www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07... It is a serious thing over here.

abc.net.au

Australians fork out $4 million for failing to vote in federal election

More than 1.3 million people did not vote in last year's election, and about 200,000 of those have paid the $20 fine.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Day 90 was another rest day in Nantes, mainly filled by exploring the Château des ducs de Bretagne. It is impressive, very well maintained, with a moat, ramparts, central courtyard and its old well still in place. Best of all, though, it’s now open for everyone to visit. Privilege has been defeated!

A welcome information panel at the Chateau in Nantes, with a schematic view of the complex.

A view from the inner courtyard of the Chateau with the old well head visible in the centre of the shot.

A view through an arrow slit in the outer wall of the chateau, with a modern tram moving past.

A section of the ramparts with a long staircase leading up to another section of the outer wall, and a metal safety fence on the left that faces into the interior of the Chateau.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Day 89 was set aside as a rest day (at least as far as cycling was concerned) and for exploring Nantes. What a lovely city it is! Best of all is a Coton Doux shop, where I added one more shirt to my lovely, large collection.

A spectacular fountain in the centre of Nantes, populated by multiple mannequins in contemporary dress.

The east end of one of the imposing churches in the centre of Nantes.

A wonderfully quirky curved soccer field adjacent to the Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne, that appears to be properly orthogonal when viewed in the curved mirror at the end of the halfway line.

The special shirt I bought from the Coton Doux shop in the Passage Pommeraye in Nantes.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I know it's not really a blue moon this month, but here's a little vision from my courtyard this evening.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Day 88 took me from Montaigu to Nantes. The morning threatened rain so I took the quickest, shortest route and took no photos. The highlight of my day was a lovely little early birthday gift from the reception staff at my hotel in Nantes. People can be quite wonderful!

My route for the day from Montaigu to Nantes.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Re the Vingegaard crash, I’ve just taken this photo from the stage 21 coverage. Jonas went into the corner slightly to the right of his teammates ahead. Look at the pave between the bike of rider 74 and the traffic island. Did that maybe catch him out and cause the crash?

The aftermath of Jonas Vingegaard's crash at the 2026 Tour de France. There are a couple of rows of cobblestones on the left of the traffic island, but the smooth road surface goes right up to the island kerb facing the approaching riders. If Jonas was to the right of his teammates, he may not have seen that change in the road surface, causing him to lose his front wheel at that point.

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Le Sabre de Canberra @lesabrecanberra.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Day 87 was a day for pottering. I rode from Saint-Fulgent to Montaigu. I recall several searches for a coffee along the way as I took some smaller roads through interesting villages, a chance to (almost) gatecrash a wedding, a beautiful hotel and an interesting afternoon walk through Montaigu.

My route for the day Saint-Fulgent to Montaigu.

The bride and groom walking together to their wedding at the Mairie de La Boissière-de-Montaigu, photographed from the seat of my trike. The groom wore a cream two-piece suit with a matching bowtie on a white shirt. The bride wore an elegant full-length white gown featuring a boat neck line with broad shoulder straps leading to a backless design and a large bow at the back of the waist.

The view from my hotel room door across the swimming pool in the central courtyard.

A major commercial thoroughfare in Montaigu with a display of coloured umbrellas strung over the road.

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