Day 35: Thionville to Metz
Day 35 started as normal: porridge, coffee, stretches etc…but amongst these things we came up with a new plan! Brandi would join me instead of Dad! The route was straightforward along a river cycle path and the distance was 33km. It seemed like the perfect opportunity! Brandi was supposed to be training in Korea for this very moment but I’m afraid to tell you dear reader that she didn’t train at all. Nice one. She has also never ridden a racing bike (or judging by the opening few mins, a bike at all).
We left the campsite to some fanfare. The owner of the campsite kindly gave us certificates for “The Best Campers of the Year” and she wished us luck for the trip. Check out VIDEO 1 for our departure!
We set off at a blazing 11kmh. At this pace it would take 3 hours. I saddled up for the long haul. Soon Brandi picked up the pace and we started to fly along nicely. The route was following the Moselle river so it was nice and flat. Check out VIDEO 2 for some super scary downhill.
We stopped for a quick water break and Brandi complained about her legs feeling like jello. She didn’t want to rest long so we got back on the bikes asap. Brandi started flying along after her rest so it must have done her good. Check out VIDEO 3 for a camera confident Brandi!
We finished our ride without any crashes or wrong turns. Check out VIDEO 4 to hear Brandi’s views on the best part of the ride. It had taken us just under 2 hours so we had gone along at a good pace. Brandi wished she had done more training but her legs didn’t ache. They do now though!
In the afternoon we checked out the old part of Metz. It was a lovely part of town with the highlight being the amazing cathedral. It’s one of the most impressive buildings I’ve ever seen. It has the biggest area of stained glass window in the world and also one of the highest naves in the world. We all really enjoyed our visit and were blown away by the grandeur of it!