Friday 11/9:
Montreuil-Juigné – Laval (79.2km)
Now the basic direction is North, the map below is rotated so that the elevation plan and the route map are both going from left to right! Today is the longest day, the only one measured at over 79km. Having been heading downstream along the Loire, the route is now heading upstream on the Mayenne, so gradually uphill, with the occasional steeper lump, though nothing that looks too awful beyond a few hundred metres in total at 6% or 7%. The biggest challenge, after the distance, would look like being the isolation, as the popular Loire Valley, with its major tourist focus through it’s châteaux and vineyards, gives way to the far more humble and meandering Mayenne with occasional small towns and villages. The biggest place en route is the town of Château-Gontier, at about 45km, which might offer the opportunity to top up on supplies, caffeine or both! As the route enters the town of Laval – today’s destination – there is a final challenge of 1km uphill to discover the apartment where the stage ends.
Tomorrow is the rest day, so a bit more comfort hopefully and the opportunity to do some much needed laundry!
