Toul to Chateaux Thierry

Day 56, Toul – Epernay, 18kms

We had an early start today.  We were up at 5am to catch a 7.19 train from Toul to Epernay.  We had decided that we were unsure of the terrain between these two towns and we now have an appointment with our apartment in Paris next Wednesday, so the need to get some quick kilometres under our belts was there.

We made the station in plenty of time, but we are always keen to ensure we have the platforms and strategies with the bikes sorted.  As we were at the station early it was still quite chilly and we were pleased when the sun peeked it’s head onto the platform. 

Access to the train platforms varies.  Sometimes there are lifts for the bikes; sometimes we have had to carry them, fully loaded up flights of stairs; other places have a travelator system where the bike goes on the travelator and you support it while you walk up the stairs.

Today we were able to walk across the train tracks to get to the right platform.  BUT – you have to wait for the stationmaster to put on his orange jacket, radio ahead and advise those in the know that we will be walking across the lines.  He then stands in the middle of the tracks while we all walk across like a family of ducks!

Luckily we boarded a newer train.  These ones you can wheel the bikes straight onto without it taking three of us to lift them up into the train.  It is also nice when you have a friendly conductor (even though we couldn’t understand each other) who indicates you can take up this door space as it won’t be used for entry/exit to the train before you get off.  The six bikes take up a lot of space fully loaded, so travelling by train requires some logistics.

On arrival in Epernay we visited a champagne cave (cellar).  It was a bit commercial and they certainly didn’t miss you with the price of a small glass of champagne.

We organised a champagne vineyard tour from Epernay, which started at 2.30 pm in Ay, a small village about 5kms from Epernay.  We rode the bikes out there in stinking heat.

It was an “Eco” tour organised through a small family vineyard in an electric car. The young guy who took the tour had reasonable English and some of the rest of the family was also involved.  Four generations of the family had been involved with the grape production, with two different generations of the family losing everything during the two world wars due to bombings and internment.

The lady who is the current owner started everything again in 1997 with her husband.  The business in now called a mix of their two surnames – Richard–Fliniaux.

A great time was had by all, despite the oppressive heat.  A good day, with lots of different champagne tastings.

Day 57, Epernay – Chateaux Thierry, 55 kms

The weather forecast was for another very hot day, so we cycled off early again.

As we caught the train yesterday, we now don’t have big days of riding before we get to Paris on Wednesday.  Our ride was fairly “undulating” today.  A few long slow hills which some of us walked (no names mentioned), but generally an interesting ride through the champagne area.

Our plan was to ride to Chateaux Thierry and arrive early to beat the heat.  We did this, but our concerns regarding the availability of campsites, was founded.  There is no campsite in the town, but there is a “camper car” site.  This has an automatically operated system designed for camper cars to have access to showers and toilets and park in an allocated spot. 

It is sited right next to the river, but we aren’t getting any breeze to cool us down yet. We managed to trick the automatic gate into believing 6 bikes and 3 tents = one camper car!  It will be interesting to see if anyone says anything.

The adjacent McDonalds is airconditioned, so we have made use of their services! The company we have in McDonalds is about the same as their food!!!!!