Dogpacking through the french countryside

Follow along as I go on a 3-day bikepacking trip with my Border Collie, Leia, on my Omnium Mini-Max, from Limoges to Coutras !

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DAY 1 : Limoges to Champnier et Reilhac

Start of this little 3-day expedition. After easily taking the TER from Bordeaux to Limoges with the Min-Max, we set off on a rather complicated 62km trail.

Quite a few uphill trails where I struggle. Fortunately, Leia “helps” me by walking with me on the climbs.

An 800g can of chili con carne quickly eaten in the shade of a bus shelter for lunch, then we arrive in the late afternoon at our destination: Alpaganie, where Leia was born. She sees her mother, her half-sister, and the whole local pack (Chihuahuas, Great Dane, French Bulldog…

After a good barbecue, it’s time for a nice bivouac on the banks of a small pond.

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DAY 2 : Champnier et Reilhac to Chenaud

Big stage today: 100km.

After the struggles of the previous day, I spontaneously revisit the route and decide to mainly take the road and avoid as much as possible the elevation gain (complicated with a loaded cargo bike). Plus, Leia is limping a bit, so I prefer to keep her as much as possible on the bike.

Very early departure before 6am, then we cover the first 60km quite well before stopping by chance in front of the Auberge du Boisné in Villebois-Lavalette. Unfortunately, everything is closed, but by chance, Margaux, the owner, is there, and after I asked her for a simple refill of my water bottles, she invites me to stay for lunch with two other cyclists (@maiko.et.hutch) who are in the middle of a magnificent bike + barbecue trip across France.

Needless to say, the lunch prepared by Margaux was very appetizing and gave me the energy to finish this big day.

A small beer + ice cream break in Aubeterre, then a quiet arrival around 6pm at the bivouac where I was able to swim in the river and eat my curry chicken (like at noon, but freeze-dried and not as good) before going to sleep.

I decide to take it easy the next day as Leia still has a bit of a sore paw, and the temperatures are expected to exceed 30C in the afternoon.

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DAY 3 : Chenaud to Coutras

Easy and quick day: a rather flat and rolling profile, with a small bakery break in the middle to refuel on calories.

Leia is exhausted so I do most of the work, and we are both happy to get home!Learned a lot during these last 3 days.

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There are some things to improve, things carried for nothing, things I would have liked to bring but forgot, the realization that to really enjoy myself I need to reduce my daily distances a bit…It was great fun and I can’t wait to go on the next trip!