After only four days cycling across Europe, my 60th birthday bicycle pilgrimage came to an unexpected halt in Châteauneuf-sur-Loire.
An unusable knee, a strange diagnosis, and nearly a week stuck at a campsite beside the Loire River forced me to slow down completely and reconsider whether I could continue the journey at all.
So for several days, life became very small: cooking beside the tent, resting, stretching, waiting, and trying to stay patient while my body decided what it was willing to do.
With a stay at Plum Village Monastery approaching fast, I eventually had to decide whether to keep resting… or get back on the bike.
In this episode of my solo bicycle pilgrimage across France and Europe, I finally leave the Loire behind, ride on to Orléans, explore one of France’s great cathedral cities, and cautiously continue toward Tours and the unknown road ahead.
My longer-term plan is to continue this journey toward the Camino de Santiago routes in Spain.
#bicycletouring #cyclingfrance #bikepacking #solotravel #solofemaletravel #femaletraveller #cyclinglife #francebybike #loireavelo #pilgrimage #caminodesantiago
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24 Comments
Well… this wasn’t quite the triumphant first week across France that I’d imagined.
I’m curious how many of you have had moments — cycling, hiking, running, travelling, anything really — where your imagination and ambition turned out to be slightly ahead of what your body was prepared to agree to.And thank you in particular to those who’ve supported the journey through Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/frostymcfrostface). Part of your support will go toward making an offering to the sisters at New Hamlet in Plum Village for their dormitory updating. A lotus to you all 🪷🪷🪷!!
Onward toward Tours!
You are in good company. I think Dervla Murphy got gout somewhere in Africa …
You are a great storyteller, regardless of the situation you’re facing. Bravo👏👏👍🦘
Great to see you back on the saddle, Jacquie! You seem to be taking all in good stride. I’m really loving this beautiful journey!
Oh Jackie 🤦♂️sorry to hear of your knee issues an the change of your plans because of it 😢 holy this trip is really taking a toll on you and you just stay so positive that’s why I like you cause your real you say it how you mean it and you do what you say you’re doing I wish you nothing but the best my fingers are crossed. The rest of your journey is good and your knee heals. Hope you’re planning a great weekend. My friend cannot wait to see what your next video brings….kev c
Unlucky, if it's gout it clears in a week, had it myself. It's a myth that you have to be eating rich food to get it. It's a built up of uric acid, drink lot's of water, coffee is also good, avoid shellfish.
Good to see you up and about. Sorry, gotta say I thought of a very colourful caterpillar when you were still in your tent. I had gout in my big toe when I was in my twenties! Like you I thought how can that be but a blood test confirmed the elevated uric acid. Why just my big toe? Who knows but simple medication fixed it and it never came back BUT the joint developed bone spurs many years later. I’m fine now, well at least the big toe is fine! I know that pain so listen to your body. Oh what an idyllic place you’re in. Take care, stay safe and stay happy. Au revoir. 🇨🇦👣🐾
Wow this is cool. Today I’ve been anxious about a 75 km ride not bc of distance but because I’m solo riding. Here you are doing this 👏. Gout sucks I’ve had it for years. Wake up one day and you can’t walk. Happy journeys.
This reminded me so much of my own last section on the camino, about 5 days away from SJPP….my blisters got so bad, that I couldnt continue and had to wait a couple of days on a campsite of a small town. Loved it though as I got to meet and talk to so many people. Glad you´re on your way again though!!
Thanks for sharing helps us all look out for it. I think AI seemed to give some good advice here:
How Gout Affects Vegetarians
Genetic Predisposition & Age: The primary cause of gout is a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. For many individuals, this is heavily influenced by genetics and age rather than diet alone [01:46].
High-Purine Plant Foods: Some plant foods naturally contain moderate to high levels of purines (which break down into uric acid). While plant-based purines are generally considered less likely to trigger gout than animal purines, excessive consumption of high-purine vegetables—such as mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach, and certain legumes like lentils or beans—can occasionally precipitate an attack in genetically vulnerable individuals.
Fructose and Sugar: High intake of fructose, sweetened carbonated beverages, or highly refined carbohydrates can trigger insulin resistance and increase uric acid levels in the blood, leading to a flare-up.
Dehydration & Physical Strain: Intense physical activity (like long-distance cycling seen in the video) combined with inadequate hydration can cause a temporary spike in uric acid concentration, leading to joint crystallization [01:04].
How to Prevent Gout on a Vegetarian Diet
If you are a vegetarian looking to manage or prevent gout, consider the following dietary and lifestyle adjustments:
Stay Properly Hydrated: Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluids (primarily water) daily to help your kidneys efficiently flush out excess uric acid from your bloodstream.
Limit Fructose and Refined Sugars: Avoid sugary drinks, sodas, and processed baked goods that contain high-fructose corn syrup, as sugar directly hinders uric acid clearance.
Include Low-Fat Dairy: If you are a lacto-vegetarian, incorporating low-fat dairy products like skim milk, yogurt, and kefir can significantly lower uric acid levels due to specific protective proteins and calcium.
Incorporate Protective Foods:
Eat fresh fruits rich in Vitamin C (like citrus fruits and berries).
Consuming cherries or drinking tart cherry juice has been shown to naturally lower inflammation and decrease gout flare-ups.
Choose complex carbohydrates and high-fiber foods like whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice) over refined white flours.
Maintain a Healthy Weight Safely: Being overweight increases your susceptibility to gout. However, avoid crash diets or fasting, as rapid weight loss can temporarily spike uric acid levels and trigger an acute attack. Always aim for gradual, steady weight management.
Your more entertaining than the celebrity documentary hosts !
Great trip. Developing injuries on the road is always a challenge. You actually want to have gout as simple medication treats it quickly and effectively. Muscle skeletal issues can be malingering.
You can bounce back. As a former coach and bike shop owner I have seen many riders with problems we were able to help… knee issues super common.
First cure is stiff cycling shoes. I use a racing ( very stiff mtb shoe ) that allows more sensible walking though I change shoes for shopping exploring afoot. Saves the shoe too. Second if this is not a full solution Perscribed Orthotics from a doctor molded to your foot. This will prevent pronation. Cleated shoes with the wrong angle tilt to the cleat ( or one that has slipped over time ) can cause knee strain too. Once I have my cleats dialed in I outline them with paint.
Aspirin or similar enhances goat affects. Also alcohol. Avoid them during flare-ups.
Safe travels
Jonny
Sorry you had those knee problems, but you turned that experience into a great video. Glad your tour continues. Looking forward to follow your ride to Compostela. Buen Camino!
Chateauneuf I’ve driven through that place many times. We holidayed in my wife’s parents house in a village called Orchaise 10 minutes drive from the beautiful town of Blois many times when the kids were little. I’m the same age as yourself and also starting to suffer growing pains 😅. My first thought re your leg was your seat height set incorrectly.
Gout crystals form when the area is below body temperature, that's why they usually form in the big toes. If you rub castor oil on the area that usually fixes it over time.
Faced similar problems on my 60 y/o bike tour. Disbelieving the 1/2 mile 20% dirt, rocky, rooty trail to a camp, I found it was actualy true. 100kg me pushing a 50kg bike, I arrived. Lower back sore and stayed 2 days to recover. Missed the trail out, used the road which proved harder still. Accomplished 440 mile Alleghany Passage and partial C+O tour finished out and back without further misadventure.
Jacquie! Just catching up with your travels after some time off YouTube! I'm halfway through the video but so happy to see you are on the road again! You also have exactly the same colour Surly as me, the same handlebars and the same bar bag extender! I thought I was looking at my bike just then. 😂 We're doing well in the Pyrenees and I've had knee troubleb on my bike, too… Helped greatly by (get this) wrapping the joints in cabbage overnight. I kid you not! Right, going to watch the rest now. Love from us all xx
You speak very well in french ❤ thank you for sharing with us. Hope you’ll be alright. Good health 🙏🏼
It could possibly be gluten. As bikepackers we don't really eat healthy. And too much gluten (it is is everything from bread to prepacked foods and sauces) it seems to attack endurance cyclists. I suffer from too much acid (gout like symptoms) when I go on my trips and consume to many pastries, bruchettas and general bread.
The half a dozen times I had gout it starts at night. Wake up to that awful pain. You are strong willed.
Hey there, I really feel for you! I have had very similar symptoms after going too hard too fast. The reason, as doctors told me, could be gout. But it was not. Luckily!!!
IT IS often your muskles, tendents and fascias, which tighten up and then put pressure on the knee. No joint likes pressure!!! The remedy is to take it light, stretch a lot, and get a rolling pin and Roll your thighs and calfs!!!
So sorry to hear you have had knee problems and hope the knee will hold tackling the Pyrenees. I know from experience how painful it is.
Enjoy the rest of your trip. 🤗❤️
Nice looking glasses.
Another fantastic video. Glad the knee seems to be responding to the semi-rest.