T+18: Charleville-Mezieres to Givet

So, where were we? Oh yeah, cycling. We were all sitting in C-M with a pretty bleak weather forecast in front of us. Our chosen path took us up a long and winding cycle path into something of a promontory that pokes into Belgium's soft underbelly. This continued to follow the Meuse river, which we had been keeping close to from Bar-Le-Duc.
 
To continue the running theme, the day was wet. Very wet. Fortunately, the cycle path was excellent and we were smahing along at around 19mph for most of it. Also, it was just about warm enough (when traelling at full pelt) to allow us to keep going. Despite all of our planning the previous evening, we actually managed to conquer the whole Voie Verte in a single day. This was yet another massive achievement in an expedition of great endeavours. The cycle path follows, in the main, the old river towpath and the valley is absolutely gorgeous with some pretty little towns. Having passed through a particularly drippy tunnel at Revin, the ugliest of these towns by some distance, we stopped there in the only place open for miles for a drink and (obversely) to get a touch drier. We also passed through the lovely Fumay, the two Vireuxs and I'd-live-there-if-it-wasn't-so-close-to-a-nuclear-power-plant-that-creates-a-huge-constant-shroud-of-clouds Chooz. The latter village had some sort of fete which was being packed up, probably because of the unseasonably inclement weather.

We finally got to Givet, the last bastion of pure Frenchness before Belgium, found some food and the cheapest municipal campsite in the world and settled in for the evening. Givet's quite lovely too, with hotels, a fort and everything.

The cycle route was beautiful despite the rain. If the sun had been out, it would've probably been spectacular. It was also really well maintained, flat and generally quick. I just wish the rain hadn't been running down my face the whole time. The most difficult thing is judging how much more you can withstand before depression or hyperthermia sets in. Fortunately, on this day, we got it just right.
As per usual, once the tent was up, the rain stopped. This helped with shopping. But, also as per usual, the weather got worse again at bedtime (around 8pm) when a huge storm started with massive lightning and thunder.

In some ways a great day. We were definitely "doing it" today; smashing the miles, dealing with adverse conditions and yet seeing an amazing area. Shame the weather's not improving.

T+18 - Charleville-Mezieres to Givet - 58.49 miles