Tour de France: Day 13

Cycling 150 km from Limoges to Sarlat la Caneda

Well it has good to leave Limoges. It is an industrial town and that’s all you can say for it. We left a bit later today in order to delay our arrival to visit some prehistoric caves. We must have taken very alleyway and small street to leave Limoges but we soon popped out into the countryside to be welcomed by our first hills of the day. We are entering the Massif Central which means climbing so it was into the small chainring and getting comfortable. As with other parts of France we experienced quiet country roads and surfaces that in places were a little uneven, particularly on the downhill sections. It was hot with temperatures getting up to 31c and we enjoyed the tree cover that the roads had to offer.

At 125 km we stopped to visit the Vezere Valley cave paintings. These are amazing and the French have made a replica cave to show these paintings off to the visitors. The nice thing was that the cave was 13 degrees which gave everybody a chance to cool down.

It was then back on the bike for some more climbing and then a decent into Sarlat and our accommodation. The sight of the pool was a joy and most indulged. When we’d all arrived, showered and watered it was off to a restaurant for more refreshments and a pleasant meal. The walk home was interrupted by an ice-cream for some which is quickly becoming a nightly occurrence for some.