2025 Tour Day 18 - Suisse Normandie

We decided to leave the coast for an adventure. On the recommendation of our friend Pierre-Marie we decided to head south of Caen and explore the Suisse Normandie region. 

We found hills. 

But first, we left our campsite and headed for (our favourite) Decathlon - and not just a store this time, a Decathlon Village - complete with cafe and indoor climbing etc. More fuel and more tent repair tape required. 

En route we skirted Caen, and found ourselves in suburbs and bike paths.

We always love to guess the crop as we ride by. Admittedly we are pretty bad at that game, not being farmers. This time we stopped and explored. Turns out it is soybean.  Edamame anyone?

We found ourselves on the Voie Verte (Green Route) with other cyclists, and rollerbladers, and hikers. An old rail way line, we followed the rail trail along the Orne river. 

Fantastic trail. 

With rock faces, views of the river and very few interruptions - no roads to cross, no cars to think about. Pure joy. 

Complete with old bridges and a tunnel. 

One part of the paved trail ran alongside the old train tracks, you could still see them.  And then we saw small railcars approaching us.  

Yes families on small train cars, powered by pedaling. 

Totally adorable! 

The sun came out and the temperature climbed to 28°, and then we started to climb too...

Through the town of Clecy and into the hills of Suisse Normandie. Cows and fields and hills ... And even a golf course. 

A couple of very tough climbs and then a full on descent into Conde-en-Normandie.  

(We have to climb out of here tomorrow 😳)

It is nice to have had some good cycling. 

We checked in at the Municipal Campground that only has 6 plots, and although we were #7, they let us stay. By the time we returned from dinner the tent count was up to 10 + 2 RVs. Close quarters tonight. 

Treating ourselves to a restaurant dinner is harder than it sounds. Very few restaurants, and none that open until 7. We got a table at a lovely little place (Le Café des Quais Brasserie Restaurant) and tried very hard to be patient for the slow paced approach to the evening meal.  Once fed, we both felt better, and ready for bed. 

Strava details for the ride. 

Tomorrow we do the same, in reverse.