Day 4 to Ingrandes 140 km

We woke up to a gusty wind and the smell of rain in the air. We left the empty hotel early and hit the road.

Soon we were on our way through the dockyards where a huge ocean liner was being built. The crossing over the Loire was one of the scariest experiences on the journey so far – the cross wind was terrible and the traffic was busy.

Heading east, we stopped to buy croissants and then at a bar/cafe to have a coffee/ oj and to get out of the rain. Heading out along the wide Canal Maritime de la Basse Loir we came across more and more cyclists. Eventually, as we reached the ferry crossing at Le Pellerin, we realised that the a bicycle festival. Going on. We joined the other riders and most of the journey into Nantes was on roads that were closed to car traffic for the festival or on cycle paths.

We finally found an open boulangerie about 30 minutes past Nantes and had another 'pique nique'. The Euro Velo route 6 is a mix of small roads, traffic free paths and the odd bit of busier roads (such as the bridges that take us back and forth from one bank of the Loire to the other.) We pressed on enjoying the speeds that were achievable with the strong tail wind.

After Ancenis the front tyre started loosing air and we stopped to fix it. It was near 4 pm and we decided to press on another 15-20 km before looking for accommodation. There were no B & Bs to be found so we stopped at a lovely looking hotel in St Florent le Viel - unfortunately when Brittany went in to ask they did not have a room available. Not happy and getting tired we left the route to follow a main road and find a place to stay. Exhausted, hungry and grumpy we eventually found a hotel across the river from Ingrandes and then headed into town for a gallete followed by a crepe. (Simon was disappointed - he wanted steak fritte.)