Day 12 - Nouâtre to Chauvigny

The horizon always has something fun, whether it's open landscape vistas or funky architecture or glorious river views. 

Today was more of a "Minor Roads" day than a "Major River" day, but on many of the so-called minor roads, you are as likely to encounter a tractor as a car. 

We rode past another rowing club on the Vienne River. The mixed  double shown here was clearly focused on technique, rowing at a very low stroke rate (and looking really good!), but the single below was just having a great day on a perfect stretch of water. 

One of the most notable elements of this morning's ride was the tailwind. Not particularly strong -- nothing compared to some of the headwinds we've had -- but enough to make the ride seem effortless. Our first 15 miles flew by, with each five-mile lap faster than the one before. That was a super way to start what turned out to be both our longest, and our hilliest stage so far. 

We crossed the river on the Henry IV Bridge and rolled into Châtellerault.  It was too early for a lunch break but we felt compelled to spend some time on the inviting benches by the water. 

Lunch was properly observed in Vouneuil sur Vienne, with appropriate pomp and circumstance. 

Shady trees are a wonderful thing!

The afternoon proved to be warm and hilly. 

We steamrolled through both of the major climbs, impressing even ourselves. (And some might note that we start out with a pretty high expectations for ourselves...)

After we surmounted those monsters near the end, we stopped for some refreshment before facing that final climb to our campground.  Santé!