#Ldn2Bdx Day Four: Nantes to La Rochelle

The cyclists have reached the longest stage of their journey and at 97 miles it will undoubtedly be the most challenging. Thankfully the terrain is flat, reaching a high point of only 105 metres and averaging around 80 metres about sea level for the entire day.

Climbing very gently as they leave Nantes their brief time with the Loire Valley comes to an end as they roll their way through an expansive agricultural region.

They will be accompanied for much of the morning by the river Ognon, a relatively unknown river but one that feeds one of France’s largest lakes and most important nature reserves, le Lac de Grand-Lieu.

The morning coffee stop will be in the tiny village of Mormaison, where the riders will regroup before heading on to La Merlatiere.

Yet more small rural communities await the riders after lunch and as the stage draws to an end, the terrain becomes event flatter and sometimes rather windy as they ride through the reclaimed marshlands and the coastal nature reserve adjacent to the Le Baie de l’ Aiguillon.

With lle de Re clearly visible to the west, the bustling and beautifully maintained resort town of La Rochelle finally comes into view and it is here that the cyclist will rest up for the evening and recuperate, having completed the most demanding stage of the journey.

Check back tomorrow for the next stage of the group’s trip and join in the conversation on Twitter with #Ldn2Bdx.

To sponsor the team, go to www.justgiving.com/teams/TFMCLtoB.