Day 6 was our last ride before a well-earned rest day. As beautiful as the EuroVelo 1 route is, it winds its way through every nook and cranny to show you everything. But when your goal is to get to Spain and actually have a holiday, it can be a bit much.

So today, we took a more direct inland route along some fabulous country roads. We still passed through charming villages and got a real sense of what rural France is all about.

A thunderstorm added some drama — which we dodged by sheltering in a doorway for an hour — before we rolled into Les Sables-d’Olonne. There we rejoined EuroVelo 1 for a relaxed cruise to our hotel.

Six days in, and this trip has already delivered more than we expected: stunning scenery, memorable moments, and some solid riding. A win on all fronts.