After arriving in Calais, I, along with two other cycle tourists, received a car escort out of the port, allowing us to bypass the queues and begin our journey smoothly. I joined EuroVelo 5, a long-distance cycling route from Canterbury to Italy, where I enjoyed the ease of riding along the well-maintained paved canal paths.
While the EuroVelo 5 continued towards Brussels, I opted to head south towards Douai. There, I found accommodation with Claire, who offered a much-needed shower and a quick tour of the City.
After she shared her food with me, we met up with some of her friends and celebrated Bastille Day for which the city put on a firework display.
The following morning, we visited a bustling French market and I stocked up on delicious cheeses to fuel me through the day.
After camping in a forrest on the Belgium border for a night, I crossed into Belgium traveling through some small Belgian villages, making sure to indulge in their famous waffles for sustenance.
Soon, I found myself back in France in the scenic Ardennes Regional Park, where a pleasant bike trail offered stunning views of the river Meuse and its valley.
Camping has been relatively straightforward, with most nights spent in peaceful forested areas away from the road. As for food, I relied on simple provisions, snacking on baguettes with Nutella during the day and having tinned protein (generally lentils or Beans), tinned veg, and some carbs for dinner.
Riding along the bike trails has been far more enjoyable so far than the roads so, I made my way back to Belgium to rejoin the EuroVelo 5 route, which will guide me through more new countries of Luxembourg and Germany.
Will Scam 