Published by Lyn on 10 November 2014
Jennifer rode the Nantes-Brest Canal in autumn 2014. She has kindly sent me this update on the route and her trip, including where she found bike hire.
The Nantes-Brest Canal towpath towards Mathieu Dreo
Jennifer left some notes in the comments at the end of the Brittany bike hire page and also in the comments at the end of the Nantes-Brest canal page asking for advice earlier this year while she was researching her Nantes-Brest canal bike ride for the last week of September/first week of October 2014. She's now home and has sent me the following feedback.
Many thanks, Jennifer!
She writes:
Hi Lyn.
I had a great cycle holiday on the canal route – it was one of the best trips I have done. I would certainly take another cycle holiday as it was a lovely way to travel and spend time.
It was the first time I had done a cycle trip like this – thanks for all your help and the Wendy Mewes Nantes-Brest Canal cycling book recommendation on your site is the reason why I considered it in the first place.
Overall the track was in very good order with just one obstacle – a tree down on the way into Redon.
I had the weather with me and started the trip in glorious sunshine from Port Launay.
Day 1: Port Launay to Chateauneuf-du-Faou – the track was in good order so no problems, and scenery beautiful – so green and lush along the windy canal.
Day 2: Chateauneuf-du-Faou to Gomel and again the towpath was good, with the main obstacles horse chestnuts and beech nuts cases! The ladder of locks to reach above sea-level meant the gears were worked hard!
Day 3: Glomel to Pontivy – a heavy fall of rain the evening before made the ground very soft and a lack of mudguards ensured I had a sand trail on my back. So when I bumped into some friends I met along the way I had to sit outside to take a coffee with them!
Day 4: I found it hard to leave the friendly banter of the auberge d'jeunesse in the morning, but off I set for Josselin which was like following the yellow brick road when the striking chateau came into view.
Day 5: The weather forecast did not bode well and about an hour into the journey the rain came down heavily and it was no passing shower. I waited under a tree to see if it would pass but no luck! I kept going until I reached Redon. Just before arriving I met an obstacle – a tree on the path so a bit of bike-hiking had to be done! I reached my accommodation a very wet and cold canal cyclist.
Day 6: My last day from Redon to Lock#10 was in lovely autumnal sunshine the whole way and I had my last canal picnic with vows of returning some day.
And thanks again for your help.
Jennifer.
