From the Department of Meuse to Champagne, Day 5

Saturday, July 22, 2023, Day 5, from Halles sous les Côtes to Tilloy in Champagne. Let me say this right away: today's stage was really difficult, really exhausting, because of the long distance (86 km), because of the many meters of altitude (over 1100 meters of altitude), because of very strong headwinds the whole time.

Speaking of headwinds: did you know that with a major weather system from the southwest and a planned tour to the southwest, the wind also comes from the southwest and we have been facing headwinds for five days now and it probably won't end?.

And because it was so exhausting today, we fought hard and just about survived, despite beautiful landscapes, riding on deserted country roads. The further we got from the Belgian border, the fewer cows we saw. We have come to Champagne and probably the cows will be replaced by grapes.

Once again, we realized that riding an e-bike does not mean that the bike rides by itself. In my case, today, with strong headwinds and many meters of altitude, the battery eventually gave up, it had to work hard, the whole package is heavy, a heavy bike (25 kg), heavy luggage bags (about 15 kg), a heavy rider (exact data is not available 😂), altitude and headwinds.

Now we're exhausted and have taken up our accommodation in a converted barn at the destination Tilloy, a narrow bed for two people, we won't be able to turn in our sleep.

Good night to all of you, see you on the sixth stage, Andrea and Tom