It was our annual day trip to France last week for David, SueC, Lin, JohnR, Helena, GrahamB, Mark, Brian, PeterH, Gary, Mick, Ray, Vanessa and me with nine taking the ferry in three cars whilst five just took their bikes. It was light rain on and off on the Monday as we headed to Portsmouth to meet up at the ferry terminal – a bit wetter for Gary as he rode all the way. The bikes were first on the ferry and as a result first to relax with a glass of wine in the restaurant. It was the usual lottery for the loading procedure for the cars, so it was about 40 minutes later before the last of the car contingent joined us for our evening meal. After eating we headed for the bar for the evening’s entertainment – this time an underwhelming singing duo and a magic show.

In the morning after breakfast, it was cool but sunny as we disembarked to meet up at the start point at Parc de la Briantais on the outskirts of St Malo with those on bikes cycling there via St Servan on a scenic coastal route. There was a short ride on a busy dual carriageway to cross the Rance Barrage into Dinard where the roads were surprisingly quiet as we rode through the centre and around the coast past the posh hotels and large villas overlooking the harbour. From there we took an inland route to Saint Briac sur Mer where we stopped at the Café de la Poste for coffee sitting outside in the sunshine.

We then looped around the beach and across the viaduct to the back roads through Lanciuex to Ploubalay where we stopped at a supermarket to pick supplies for lunch. We then picked up the EuroVelo4 as it wandered on quiet roads through the countryside to Tremereuc and found a convenient bus stop to eat our lunch.

There was a short section on the voie verte, a rail trail, to Pleslin and on to Plouer sur Rance where one group stayed on the EV4 to cross the Pont St Hubert and to wait for the others who diverted down to the quay on the Rance and then climbed back up to the bridge. Once all together again we continued on EV4 back towards St Malo  but stopping at the picturesque village of Saint Suliac for a beer beside the river.

From there, the EV4 is on slightly busier roads as we headed back to Parc de la Briantais and then a visit to the hypermarket close by to stock up on food and drink to take home before heading off to the port for the return ferry. After dinner we again headed for the bar for the evening’s entertainment but this time there was also a much better solo singer that got most of the group up on the dance floor. It was dull and grey in the morning as we disembarked and made our way home after another good day trip. Link to the route - Brittany 2024 day ride route data