Growing up outside Norwich, the home of English Mustard, I was always a bit surprised the city wasn't twinned with Dijon… home of France's favourite condiment.

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There are plenty of parallels: both cities have nicely preserved old-town-type centres with lots of churches… though there are no motorways in Norfolk, while Dijon's a handy stop-off if you're heading south through France on the A31 (it's where you pick up the A35 for a run to the Alps).

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There's no need to sit on the motorways round Mustard Town, though. There's great riding to be had in the gently hilly woods of the Côte d'Or (though if there's gold in them thar hills, it is probably mustard – or sunflowers).

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This laid-back daytrip gets clear of the city quickly, for quiet and twisty roads linking quaint stone villages and historic towns – there's even a chateau or two to see along the way. It's a great way to add a bit of flavour to a journey across France.