La Littorale V45 — loop from Ste-Marine to Concarneau

Day 35: from Lesconil to Concarneau Today we have a coastal tour waiting for us. I'm not going to do the whole thing, because even here in Brittany there are sections where the smell of deep fryer fat and clouds of sun cream are crowded together. We only touched on that twice, including a circus arena with entertainment. We mostly traveled on C-roads and finely gravelled coastal paths, without any major tourist hustle and bustle. But I can understand why everyone wants to come here. The coast is a dream. So we had experiences like from a dream factory - it couldn't have been better! From Lesconil we first drove to Plobannalec to get croissants like every day - only today, because we were late, there were none left. I chose a route (almost all green or purple cycle paths) over the "country". We've already cycled the coast. Good roads and lots of houses with colorful flower gardens, hydrangea "hedges" in almost every color. In Loctudy we drove straight to the ferry dock for the crossing to Île-Tudy. It was a bit of a challenge crossing the narrow aluminum bridges with our panniers. Will they even take us with them? Bretons and French people have completely different ideas about bicycles than we do and e-bikes are usually laughed at. Later in Concarneau - in the bike shop, I didn't see an e-bike at all, but a racing bike as heavy as my right saddlebag! Anyway, the "ferry" came. But not everyone wanted to get off. So we were asked on or onto the ferry and helped. Then we were asked if we were German and then we found out in perfect German that this was the ferry's maiden voyage and that the mayor (the only one in a suit) and the entire local council were on the ferry (with an electric motor). We had a great time. One of them comes to Fellbach several times a year (on business), another had a father from Bleichstetten (a German teacher), and he also comes every year on holiday. After I realized which "team" was on board, I thanked everyone and the mayor. Île-Tudy and everything else on the route is a lot more touristy than what we have experienced on our previous trip. After Île-Tudy there were a few bumps now and then. I noticed that the brake pads on my front brake were worn out. From then on I only had to use the rear brake, which meant driving with foresight. The next ferry between Sainte-Marine and Bénodet was not so spectacular - but it was only accessible via steps at the harbor. There were no signs either. I think they assume that only those who know about it - and ... have French bikes - will ride on it. On the way to La Forét-Foursnant, the problem with my brakes was a bit more serious - it also got hillier. Angi had told me an additional waypoint at the ferry dock today: the Cidrerie Séhédic in La Forét-Foursnant. After a long descent in Kervastard, Angi then said we should go straight to a bike shop in Concarneau and skip the cider shop: the bike was more important! But I didn't agree with that and so we arrived at the cider shop after a long uphill ride. I might have to explain something here: We had about 30 different ciders on our trip. In the end, there were only 2 drinkable ones left for us and we agreed on that - the Kerné and the one from Séhédic. He and his wife were really nice. He explained everything to us and we wanted to drink a bottle of Gwennic right there and then. So we put 3 crates of bottles in the shade in front of the house and had a snack with a baguette. In the shop I saw a picture of Inspector Dupin and him with signatures. He then told us that the film "Breton Nights" was filmed in his cider shop. Unfortunately we are so heavily packed that we couldn't take a single bottle with us! And now for the last highlight: Today is Saturday - it's just before 4 p.m. and I still have to go to a bike shop that has my brake pads. Tomorrow is Sunday - everything is closed! And not all of them are open on Monday either. Anyway, I managed to get my brake pads in the 3rd shop and so I'll replace them tomorrow in the back garden of our apartment! Oh yes - today we both hit the 2000 km mark!