GREAT ESCAPE TRAVEL GREAT ESCAPE
On a rally in Germany many years ago, I met Joyce, aged 75, who was still riding her bike, together with husband Ian, of a similar age. Having always wanted a bike but never owned or learned how to ride one, I did a quick calculation and realised I still had 20-25 years of cycling opportunities! Inspired by Joyce, I bought a bike and at the age of 55, proceeded to learn riding skills. I'm still not a confident cyclist, so I look for off-road routes where possible. When Joe suggested we visit Ile de Ré, a place we'd been to before, I agreed readily, as we could see the island from a different perspective using its network of cycle routes.
Our tour began when we drove through La Rochelle to the toll bridge (costing €8) which links this strange, distinctively shaped island to the mainland. There's one place where the island is barely 50m wide.
Our campsite was almost at the farthest point of
