News from Troyes
Bonjour !
I am writing from Troyes, a beautiful town in France . I arrived here yesterday after a long day of cycling from just outside Reims. Altough I am mostly cycling on beautiful roads in the country side, the weather is really making it hard to advance. Yesterday very strong head wind made my average speed fall to 17kmh which meant I took 7hours to cover the 125 km from Reims to Troyes. Also the unusual cold and the rain don’t make the cycling any easier. However I remain positive because I am having a great experience and I know I am doing it for a good purpose. Moreover a part from the cycling , every night I have been hosted by amazing people that are making this trip even more precious.
Today I will reach Dijon but I am still not sure if I will do so by bike or by train (probably a combination of the two) as the weather it’s really really bad and my body is starting to crack down.
So far I have been cycling 48hours for a total of 855km since last Sunday .
I would love to keep you more up to date on the blog but I am finding hard to find the time to write .
I attach some photos from these days 🙂
Matteo
Please remember that this trip is part of a fundraising initiative and that you can help reaching the fundraising objective with a donation through the page http://www.buonacausa.org/cyclingforrekko
Something about Reims
Reims is the second city in France where I have planned to stop overnight. Situated in the Champagne region of France, is about 150 km south of Amiens, my previous stop.
The city was fund by the Gauls and so it’s importance increasing during the Roman Empire.
Reims historic map
The city was also the place were the crowning ceremony for the king of France was taking place. The cathedral of the city (damaged during the first world war) can be seen as playing the same role in France as Westminster-Abbey in UK.
Reims Cathedral
The principal squares of Reims include the Place Royale, with a statue of Louis XV, and the Place Cardinal-Luçon, with an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc.
Royal Palace Reims
Something about Amiens
Amiens will be the first place I will sleep in France during my trip. The city is situated north east of Paris and about 100 km away from Dieppe where I will arrive with the ferry from UK.
Romans, Barbarians, Nomads, Spanish and Prussian all settled in the city during the centuries. Involved both in the first and second world war, had been heavily bomber during the latter.
The city host the most largest Gothic Cathedral in France and the most famous Christmas market in northern France.
Amiens Cathedral
Some food are considered typical of the city like the Macarons and the Duck pate .
duck pate
The city also host the last remaining permanent circus in France :Â Cirque Jules Verne
Permanent Circus
A bit about Dieppe
Dieppe is the first city I will touch on the French territory after getting off the ferry from Newhaven.
Symbol of Dieppe
Dieppe which represents one of the arrival point of the ferries from England is also famous for it’s castle, a pebbled beach and it’s scallops.
Dieppe Castle
Dieppe pebbled beach
Dieppe have been funded in the late 10th century as a small fishing village. In the 16th century the city was famous for being the location of the main cartographic school in France; for this reason the city has been home to the two most famous French navigators.
The city which in the centuries evolved from fishing town to important harbor has been at the center of different wars and has been completely destroyed during the French-Dutch war 1694 and has been targeted by ally bombs during World War 2
Dieppe World War 2
During my trip I should not be staying in Dieppe overnight as I will be heading to Amiens straight after my arrival.
CyclingforRekko 