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Clermont

We don’t stop exercising because we get old. We get old because we stop exercising. Anon.

And when the going gets tough, the tough get ... you know how it ends and I am not a huge fan of this form of word play but as they say 'if you don't use it you lose it'. Terrible I know, though these pithy  mantras are what we remember and I do like the bad diet one. You know the one, 'you can't out train a bad diet'. 

Last night I explored today's route and discovered I would be riding the Trans'Oise route from Ferriéres-en-Bray to Clermont.

The Oise is a neat rectangular shaped department of France sitting conveniently north of Paris with Clermont at the centre. After a picnic dinner last night from an Intermarché I am hopeful of a hot lunch in Beauvais which also boasts a splendid cathedral. OK, time to ride.

I soon discover that the Trans'Oise uses the same path as the London-Paris Avenue Verte.
With distances to towns and villages clearly marked you don't need to look at your phone.
Being a railway embankment it would be easy to be lazy with regards gears but you do need to change occasionally as the gradients undergo subtle change. Additionally you need to fully stop as you cross the many roads as visibility isn't usually great and there are cars. 

The route by-passes Beauvais and I stop just in time to cut through to the centre to see the sights including this heroic figure. 'Hatchette' is the name given her due to her hatchet (axe) wielding acts of heroism which helped bolster the courage of the Beauvais population in defence of their city which was a success.
There is a grand central plaza and I decide to find bread to go with the large hunk of local cheese last night's host gave me before the cheese and I got too hot and sweaty with the warmth of the afternoon sun.
The cathedral built in the gothic style is a mighty edifice and is an example of how early building design worked; two elements were built and collapsed requiring rebuilding.
In reviewing tomorrow's ride I see it is 93km and not 80km as I had recorded in my itinerary for this trip. Gulp. An early night and an early start are planned. 

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