Weekend Cycling in Morbihan

Part of our team at Abicyclette Voyages spent a weekend cycling in Morbihan. They talk about their preparations, how their trip went, and their fond memories of the weekend. This trip was an opportunity to spend time together as a team and share some memorable moments. It reflects the team spirit, solidarity, mutual aid and good atmosphere that characterize Abicyclette Voyages. Here’s the story of their cycling adventure!

Preparing their trip in advance

“The criteria for organizing our trip were simple,” explains Maël, “we had to define a trip that could be done over two days of pedaling, over a weekend, and with the possibility of taking the train there and back with the bikes.

So we hesitated between a weekend from Saint-Malo to Mont-Saint-Michel via Cancale, or a weekend on the shores of the Gulf of Morbihan. As most of the participants were very familiar with the northern part of Brittany, we opted for the magnificent Morbihan region, departing from Vannes, spending the night in Carnac and finishing in Lorient. These are also two stages in a holiday we’re offering: Brittany from port to port 5. The trip in our catalog is designed to avoid headwinds as much as possible. However, for logistical reasons, we decided to do the stages in the opposite direction of our trip.

We covered around 110 km in two fairly balanced stages. The first day was just over 50 kilometers inland, with a few seaside sections. The second stage was around 55 kilometers along the seafront for most of the day. When it came to organization, we proceeded in exactly the same way as for our other trips! We prepared our itineraries, booked accommodation, meals and train tickets. Then we prepared the bikes, GPS and accessories.” When it comes to bikes, we’ve got a bit of everything! Some chose the Gravel to travel light. Others preferred our “sport” bikes for a sportier posture than our “trekking” bikes, while looking for the comfort and carrying capacity of rear panniers. Others opted for our e-bikes to get more familiar with our electric-assist bikes!”

The story of the trip, told by Quentin, Laura and Gaëlle

A first stage from Vannes to Carnac

“To reach our starting point, we opted for the train. The connection between Rennes and Vannes proved to be a wise choice, with good TER services and a journey time of just over an hour. The idea was to start our journey at around 9 o’clock. But to do so, we had to board the 7:40 a.m. train from Rennes, which meant waking up early, or very early for some of us. Not everyone was happy about this, but after all, a real bike trip has to be earned!

So off we went at 7:40 a.m;, freshly awakened with our bikes on the train. By the way, TER trains are equipped with special spaces for travelers with bicycles, so you can hang up your bike to keep it safe and out of the way for the duration of your journey. At 8:53 a.m., as scheduled, the train stops in Vannes. It’s time to start our journey in earnest. Without further ado, we jump in the saddle, impatient to see the landscapes that punctuate our way to Carnac pass beneath our wheels…

The first day of our trip turned out to be a real delight. Under a radiant sun. After covering some thirty kilometers, our hungry stomachs and tantalized taste buds led us to stop off in the charming town of Le Bono. There, we discovered a superb and very typical restaurant, the “Crêperie du Vieux Pont”. We shared a convivial moment over delicious crêpes, fueling our bodies and spirits for the rest of our journey. Then we set off again, full of energy to finish off this first day. With a full meal, we set off again, bursting with energy and enthusiasm. Despite a slight setback in the form of an unexpected puncture, which we managed with the speed and dexterity of a Formula 1 team! Our efforts were rewarded when we reached our final destination for the day.

In Carnac, we stayed at the 4* Hôtel & Spa Le Churchill. We were warmly welcomed by Stéphanie, the manager, before taking a shower and enjoying the Spa: hammam, sauna, sensory shower and jacuzzi, a particularly welcome moment of relaxation after a day of sport! The swimming pool was not yet open this winter season, but should be a real plus in summer too. The establishment is located by the sea, a little way from the center of town, which we reached in about ten minutes on foot along the beach, a very pleasant stroll.

After enjoying the relaxing delights of our sauna session, we opted for a burger restaurant. The evening was one of good humor and conviviality, punctuated by laughter and lively exchanges. Tired but happy, we finally let ourselves drift off to sleep…”

A second stage from Carnac to Lorient

“The next day, after a hearty breakfast, we were back in the saddle. Once again, the weather was on our side, with brilliant blue skies and glorious sunshine to accompany us on our journey. This day was going to be even busier than the last, as we had three crucial rendezvous points not to be missed! Our main objective was to reach Lorient in time to catch our 4:51p.m; train. But before that, we had two boat crossings to make, adding an extra touch of adventure to our trip.

For our first sea leg, we met at the Gavre pier. There, we boarded a small boat that operates daily services, taking us to Port Louis. After this first crossing, we continued our journey to the second pier, 10 kilometers away. Each crossing was very quick (less than 10 minutes) and we were able to board our bikes without any problems.

We landed in Lorient at around 4:15p.m. We only had about 30 minutes left to cover the last few kilometers to the SNCF train station. A little over an hour and a half later, we finally arrived in Rennes, tired, but with our hearts full of memories and future sore muscles.”

Johanne’s tips for riding in March

“March has 20 days of winter. It’s the beginning of spring and everyone is happy to finally be out of the winter doldrums. But we mustn’t forget that, despite some mild days, the weather can be capricious, making our bike rides less beautiful than we might imagine. So be prepared.

Here are some tips for cycling holidays in March:

• Bring rain gear: even if the weather forecast calls for sunny days, we can still get a few showers between two rays of sunshine. That’s why it’s a good idea to bring along a rain jacket and rain pants to cope with the possibility of a rainy shower.

•  Make sure you bring warm clothes, a neck warmer and a pair of gloves, in case temperatures drop: March can still show us that winter is here and that the cold is still on the prowl. Gloves are a must to keep your hands warm and make the most of the miles you cover on your bike. Even if the sun is out, it’s important to stay well covered to avoid the risk of a cold!

•  Think about your lights: although the days get longer at this time of year, it’s possible to start or finish your stage at night, depending on the number of kilometers you plan to cover. Visibility is essential when cycling.

•  Plan coffee/restaurant stops along the way: try to schedule stops along the way at small local establishments to reward yourself for the miles you’ve covered, and allow you to recharge your batteries along the way.

•  Plan your transport: winter schedules are often different and restricted for transport such as trains, buses and boats. For a worry-free trip, make sure you organize your itinerary carefully and anticipate transport needs, booking in advance as much as possible.”