Day 7: Halfway point

Halfway point ⚖️🚴‍♂️

A pivotal day today.

Important, because for once, the clock really matters ⏱️

The objective is clear: to be on time for the Cup final.

Unionists and cyclists — it's compatible 😄⚽

Early start in a persistent drizzle 🌦️

We've seen better.

Their bodies are a little bruised: the accumulation of kilometers, but also that of the bottles consumed in the evening…

We did justice to the regions we traveled through 🍷😌

Moods are a bit gloomy then. The complainers are complaining — old habits die hard 🤷‍♂️

So we drive. We warm up. And it comes back.

Just a little more of the Saône before Lyon.

The rainy night has softened the towpaths considerably… sometimes making for a sporty experience.

Then little by little, it improves.

Lyon is getting closer, and with the slightest ray of sunshine, we can already feel a more southern warmth ☀️

Crossing Lyon via impressive infrastructure:

royal cycle paths 🚲👑,

Saône-Rhône tunnel,

the docks…

On this public holiday Thursday, we're fully embracing spring relaxation 🌸

Leaving Lyon is considerably less pleasant:

Trails under construction, poorly marked, dogs not properly controlled… 😤

Quick, let's get out of here. Time to recharge our batteries 🔋

Shorter break than expected: forced stop under a bus shelter.

A sudden and powerful storm has struck us 🌩️

But the pressure of the clock is there…

We set off again in torrential rain, soaked to the bone.

We've been through this before. Not even scared 😅

Obviously, a detour sends us off across the fields…

A large embankment alongside a railway line,

an old path turned into a muddy skating rink, barely passable 🫣

A true memory factory.

Then the storm passes.

The sun is back, drying us out quickly 🌞

We find a smooth cycle path — and immediately, our spirits lift 🙌

The clock is ticking: we'll be on time ✅

We even allow ourselves one last break in the sun, just enough energy before the end.

We don't dawdle, we take turns, everyone's legs are back to normal 🚂

Arrived well within the time limit for the stage.

Enough even for a shower… and rinsing off the mud-covered panniers 🚿

As I write these lines, I still don't know who will lift the trophy…

I therefore leave to Union Saint-Gilloise the weighty responsibility of deciding the mood of our end of the day ⚽😄