Warren and I separated today – he rode the route and I stayed on the barge for a rest day. We both enjoyed our choice and the weather was better than predicted with mild temperatures and virtually no rain.
We both started the day with a trip up the hill at Auvers sur Oise to visit the grave of Vincent van Gogh and his brother, Theodore.
On the way we passed the Church that was the subject of a famous painting (L’Eglise d’Auvers) by van Gogh that is now in the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.
The ride was easier than the previous 2 days with only 1 hill at the start and rain briefly at the start and end of the ride.
45 km in total through some muddy tracks after the overnight rain.
The barge travel was very relaxing and we saw an impressive War Memorial and bridge.
Fred timed the ride perfectly so that our riders arrived at the junction of the Oise and Seine rivers just as we sailed past.
We negotiated 2 locks and tied up at Bougival at about 3.30. Several of us headed into town to look around and then find a wine bar with wifi (pronounced wiffy in French).
Route of today’s ride – Auvers sur Oise to Bougival – 45 kms