Day 41: Angoulême to Bordeaux | 123km
9 July 2026
Despite the intense load of biking over the last few days from Paris, I felt surprisingly fresh and motivated to make the final push to Bordeaux. I’ve realized this extreme heat isn’t really a heatwave, it’s just the climate and it’s here to stay. I’d have to bend to nature, even if it meant losing hours of necessary sleep. After yesterday’s debacle with the pedal, I’d treated myself to a nice dinner to ensure I was properly fueled for today’s ride.
Just like the last few days, it was pitch black when my alarm rang. Half asleep and unsure if my eyes were even open, I packed my sleeping system inside the tent. This daily ritual has become more and more efficient. Everyone else in the campground was sound asleep, so I quietly packed up my tent and walked over to the communal kitchen to prep breakfast. Not the most inspired meal, but I chowed down on half a loaf of bread with peanut butter and two bananas. I felt my snacking had been too conservative the last few days, so I’d prepped my bag with Snickers, crackers, dates and apples to ensure I had the energy to avoid being miserable today.
The first 30 km of the ride were rough. Although I felt fresh when I woke up, the fatigue quickly returned when I hit the first big hill. For the first time in a long time, I had over 1,000 meters of elevation to climb today, most of it in the first half of the route. As I sweated my way up the winding roads alongside the vineyards, I could feel the first rays of sunshine warming my back. Besides the cooler temperatures, the biggest benefit of riding so early was seeing the landscape wake up, hearing the roosters crow in the distance and the golden light slowly illuminate the road ahead. The low sun also cast long shadows, offering better shelter from the heat. After a few brutal climbs, I found myself at the top of a ridge that snaked its way between grapevines stretching far into the horizon. Soaked with sweat but relieved I’d already passed the biggest physical challenge of the ride, I cruised along beautiful bike paths with tall trees on either side.
Maybe it was the fatigue, or perhaps I’d become too familiar with the countryside landscape, but I didn’t take many photos. The smooth bike paths also meant I picked up a nice speed that I didn’t want to disrupt. Unlike previous days though, I allowed myself a bit more time for breaks and proper snacking. For some reason, it’s easier to take things calmly when getting closer to a milestone. It’s like I know I’ll reach the goal, so I can just cruise along and enjoy the ride instead of pushing forward. Perhaps it’s also a habit from my semi successful athletic career. Instead of internalizing the journey as an experience, it becomes a challenge. Despite my seeming interest in discovering my physical limits, I need to remind myself that’s not the goal of these months on the road.