A Coastal Ride to Remember: Penny’s Cycling Tale in Normandy
From ferry to finish line: Penny’s tips and highlights along the Vélomaritime
Cycling trip taken in July 2025.
Penny, 74, originally from Bournemouth on the south coast of England, is an experienced cyclist. Passionate about cycling trips, she has already travelled many routes in France: La Loire à Vélo, Burgundy, the Cévennes and the Camino de Santiago. This summer, she chose to set off on La Vélomaritime, surrounded by a group of friends, to explore the Normandy coast at her own pace, between sea and memory.
I chose La Vélomaritime because the route seemed relatively flat*.
*With 2,400 metres of elevation gain between Cherbourg and Le Havre, this route still offers a good challenge for even the most seasoned cyclists!
⛴️ Joining La Vélomaritime from England
On the outward journey, we left Bournemouth and headed to Poole, where we took the Brittany Ferries ferry to Cherbourg.
On the return journey, we used the same company, this time from Le Havre to Portsmouth. From there, we took the train back to Bournemouth. The entire trip went smoothly.
💬 Penny's advice for a successful cycling trip
‘Be aware of your cycling ability. Don't plan too many kilometres per day so that you have time to enjoy the scenery, take coffee breaks and visit places of interest.’
🚲 And after this trip?
When asked if she has any new travel plans in the pipeline, Penny replies: ‘I'd like to come back and discover another section of La Vélomaritime. See you next year!’