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Travel StoriesTo The Southern Tip Of Europe
Smiling In The Rain
Ride Date 14 Sep 2025
By Andy Gray
Day 2: Gien to Cahors 304 miles
Rained most of the night and still raining lightly as I packed the gear back on the bike. Bit slow leaving as I wasn’t looking forward to what promised to be a damp day in the saddle! In the end it kept falling nearly all day getting heavier later on. Stayed pretty dry apart from damp feet.
Spent most of the day on the D-940 which goes from the straightest road I’ve ever seen to the curviest! 32 miles with one distinct corner and later 9 miles with no corners. All the bends seem to have fallen down the map to the section I was looking forward to.
Rode past two boulangeries where I could clearly see pain au chocolate on display but ignored them as I was planning to go to one in the medieval town of Mehun-sur-Yevre. That bit me on the backside as they’d run out when I got there. Could only find one in a supermarket later on.
Near Nohant-Vic I spotted a collection of restored 2CVs in a car park so had to do a U-turn to take a look. It was the car park for the home of an 1830s renowned female novelist called George Sand (no, I hadn’t heard of her either). Don’t know if it was a display by the restorer or a club visiting the area but they were in incredible condition.
Stopped at another car park, this time in a small village called Glenic because it was next to a nice looking viaduct and river. Great use of space as a local club had turned some of the arches into climbing walls. All fenced off so no one could just go and fall off!
At Bourganeuf, I rejoined the best part of the D-940, twisty heaven up through the hills. Just a shame the roads were so wet but I gave it a good go. At least there were no punctures this year!
Stopped at Peyrat-le-Chateau to rest and take some photos of the lake and tower when a car pulled up and a broad Yorkshire accent says “You’re a long way from home”! Spent half hour chatting with Steve(?) a glazier from Leeds who with his wife spends part of the year here restoring two properties they’ve bought. Turns out the village was a hotbed for the Resistance during the war and was known as Little Stalingrad. It was also the first place with hydroelectric power in France.
Eventually I had to leave the D-940 and join the A-20 motorway. This was where the rain got really heavy and I got on the motorway heading north. Only a 16 mile round trip to get back!
Shortly after I took the SatNav’s advice and left the motorway as there were 39 minute delays. My new route crossed the motorway a couple of time and I could see it was a single lane in each direction.
40 miles shy of Cahors I came off the motorway to do the last part on smaller roads.
Ready to leave Gien.
Viaduct at Glenic.
Climbing walls.
Peyrat-le-Chateau.
Moist but happy in the forest twisties.
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A long Ride to Gien
Big miles already on Andy's first day on the road. He's just getting settled into the ride and making his way south through France.
Smiling In The Rain
It's a soggy wet day through France for Andy, but that won't dampen his spirits. He stumbles upon 2CVs and climbing walls, straight roads and twisties.
Reader's Comments
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I had to googley Cahors....pffffffftttttt.
Got ya fella.
Rain in France, it never rains in France!
Upt.
16/10/2025 16:34:57 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I agree Upt', it NEVER rains in France, ever. Except during the week. Oh and at weekends. Especially when you're on holiday.
17/10/2025 07:58:50 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
And at all other times not previously accurately described.
17/10/2025 11:05:32 UTC
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Travel StoriesTo The Southern Tip Of Europe