Allies - Normandy to the Rhine

We start our Allies Odyssey with the tide out! Rolling across the bridge from Mont St Michel to mainland Normandy, our trail is historic and relaxed as this Odyssey takes in more forgiving terrain and less kms per day (average 55 km) giving us time to explore the epic history all around us. As we pedal through France, Belgium, Luxembourg and into Germany, we traverse through the sensational regions of Normandy, Picardy, Flanders, The Ardennes and along the Moselle, following and examining the two greatest historical conflicts of recent times - WWI and WWII.

Starting with Normandy's low rolling hills, tiny lanes and historic villages, we skirt the D-Day beach landing grounds where the boats went the other way! This was the biggest seaborne invasion ever mounted and its aim was to liberate France from Nazi occupation in WWII.

Northern France is full of amazing produce, from local cheeses Livarot, Pont l’Eveque and of course Camembert to cider and calvados apple brandy. Off the rugged cliffs and sandy beaches, fishing boats bring in the catch which is a major and magnificent part of the local cuisine.

As we head east through Rouen (once home to Richard the Lionheart!) and on to Amiens with its exceptional cathedral, we head for the sorrow which is the WWI battlefields of the Somme and into Belgium at the Ypres Salient. We are surrounded by history - military, medieval and cycling as we trace the roads of the Paris Roubaix, Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege which makes this area an exceptional place to ride through.

Belgium’s stunning roads and medieval villages greet us as we roll through the lush Ardennes, rightly famed as some of Europe’s best cycling. After traversing Luxembourg in a day we strike the magnificent Moselle River. We wind its course northeast admiring its sheer vineyards which cling to the cliff-like banks which line the river - but don’t worry we enjoy the valley riding (there are x-loops for the brave!)

Our final destination is Remagen, where the Allies first crossed the Rhine and entered the heart of Germany for the Allies' final assault to end WWII. Across the only bridge on the Rhine which the Germans failed to blow up, the Allies had won the race to the Rhine.