MARATHON CYCLE RIDE – from Spain, across France to England raising money for Ukrainian aid. This year starting on 9th July, I’m going to cycle over 650 miles to raise money for medical and civilian causes in Ukraine. I’m raising money to benefit two organisations, see below. Click HERE to donate. For more information about the cycle ROUTE click HERE
Thank you, Victor Ient
Day 19/20: Tues 29th/30th July Sometimes tough but fascinating and unforgettable and meeting wonderful people! If someone were to ask me what the best part of this journey has been, my answer would be immediate: meeting interesting people. Throughout the trip, I have encountered some truly wonderful characters, many of whom appear in my daily […]
Day 18: Tues 28th July A picturesque end to my marathon cycle ride from Bibao in Spain Today is my final cycle ride, and I’ve achieved about 650 miles with 26,000 ft of ascent from Bilbao in Spain to here, Saint-Malo. I was hoping to have completed the ride all the way to Dieppe, but […]
Day 17: Mon 27th July Beautiful scenes alone the Le canal d’Ille-et-Rance A beautiful day cycling alongside the River Rance and its canal. Here are a few photo. When you’re cycling on the side of the canal, you’re cycling on what’s called the Chemin de Halage, and this is where the horses would have […]
Day 16: Sun 26th July Shady cycling on old railway lines and along peaceful canal paths Today has been a very pleasant day cycling from Bains-de-Breton through the countryside, sometimes using an old railway track. The French are good at this. I did try and follow Google at one point, but they got it wrong […]
Day 15: Sat 25th July Great ride and ran of charge for my electric bike as I arrive at my destination! Phew! 104 km (65 miles) and 883 m (2,900 ft) of ascent Finally, I’m feeling better, and I leave Nantes on Saturday morning. I’ve already got directions from the tourist office to guide me […]
Watching the TV at the hotel in Nantes, I find that there had been a tremendous forest fire on Cap Ferret in the Gironde region which I had passed though on the 18th/19th July. The blaze seems to have started on the 21/22nd July. Here are the pictures of last night from the TV report […]
Day 13/14: Thurs 23rd & Fri 24th July Further bicycle problems & I am still not well, Ugh! Today, Thursday the 23rd, I’m still not feeling well, and I have an electrical problem with my bicycle. The nearest specialist for this type of bike is miles away, so I’d have to take the train north […]
Day 12: Wednesday 22nd July Very please ride but ended with bicycle woes I left Rochefort after what should have been a couple of days’ rest. But unfortunately, I’d had an upset stomach for some reason, and I spent most of the time mooching around the self-catering apartment. I met with and cycled a while […]
Day 11: Tuesday 21st July Day 11 is a day off. I’ve already completed 418 miles, and 19,458 feet ascent. ( 674 km, and5,931 meters ascent) .A break is needed, so I’m glad that I’ve got two nights here. The place is absolutely fascinating. It’s a former French naval port, and now is a major […]
Day 10: Monday 20th July Marathon bike Ride Raising money for medical aid for Ukrainian families PLEASE DONATE CLICK HERE to see my diary for the last 9 day from Bilbao in Spain to Rochefort in France – over 400 miles and nearly 20,000 ft of ascent THE JOURNEY TODAY: 81 km and 709 m of […]
Day 9: Sunday 19th July 71 km and 385 m of ascent Today, I caught up with my friends, Joy and Greg, on the way from the small village where I stayed south of the River Gironde up to the Pointe de Grave , where the ferry takes one across to Royan. On the way up I […]
Day 8: Saturday 18th July 115 km and 766 m of ascent Again it was hot at 29 C in the shade! I was shattered when I got to my accommodation and my battery had virtually run out at 8% Today, I cycled part of the way with the cycling buddies, Joy & Greg, who […]
Day 7: Friday 17 Jul 2026 54 km and 274 m of Ascent. Sill very hot – C in the shade! Today, I couldn’t manage too much. I was having to have a slower day because of the consistent heat all the time. The route was, as before, through pine forests and sometimes alongside vast inland […]
Day 6: Thursday, 16 Jul 2026 76 km and 382 m of Ascent. Again it was 30 C in the shade! Today was a day of mixed fortunes. This morning my intention was to simply join that Euro Velo route and continue up the coast when I left this morning. However, having got lost a […]
Day 5: Wednesday 15th of July. 81 km and 745 m of Ascent. Phew! and it was 30 C in the shade! My route takes me from Ciboure to the inland village of Soustons via the ever popular Biarritz. Ciboure is an old village next to Jean de Luz, which looks beautiful in the sunshine. […]
Day 4: Saturday 14th July – San Sebastián to Ciboure and Saint-Jean-de-Luz Today I travelled only 45 km but there was an ascent of 521 m. The temperature was at least 30 C. I leave San Sebastián behind with its beautiful buildings and wide sandy beaches, and head along the clearly marked cycle path northwards. […]
Day 3 – 13th July 2026 By now, I realize that these hills in the Basque Country have to be respected. What I thought I could do is now shortened to what is practical in this very hilly countryside. I set off today to San Sebastián, which isn’t very far, about 55 km, but there […]
Day 2: 12th July 2026: Guernica to Deba I thought day two was going to be a breeze, quite frankly. The weather was cooler than the tremendous heat of the previous day, slightly cloudy, and much lower temperatures. I cycled up to Lekeitio on the coast, which is a wonderfully lively port and holiday centre […]
Day 1: Afternoon of 11th July 2026 After my ride from Bilbao, I focused on the reason why I’ve come to Guernica. I felt I had to come to Guernica. This was the place where aerial bombardment of civilians first took place in 1937 as part of the Civil War, with General Franco getting assistance […]
Day 1: 11th July 2026 The journey from England to Bilbao had been very smooth with calm seas. On arrival it was very enjoyable talking to other cyclists in the passport queue. They were departing in all sorts of directions. A number were following a similar route to mine up in to France. But nevertheless, […]
