It seemed like a Nice idea at the time

The overnight thunder and rain made for a cool, but dry start. A pleasant climb out of the valley to the col.  Obligatory col Pic. We all wore out Peak Tours, Channel to Med cycle tops. It was very much like cycling with a team!  Another smaller col followed on from this, but it was not significant enouugh to have it's own sign. Brew stop! The remainder of the ride was mainly down hill following the Le Loup River. Initially the road narr and passed through tunnels cut through the limestone edge of gorge. An Al fresco meal of pasta and a variety of veg at a roadside restaurant filled us up for the last section. Too big a portion for me to handle! More stunning views And then Cagnes sue Mer. Our first really busy encounter with civilization since Ouistreham! Not all that pleasant but it brought us to the sea! The end of the ride! Time for a swim in the sea and a celebratory cup of champagne! Then...

The day began with a long climb in the shade of trees and the hillside. The scenery helped offset the continuous gradient. The road hugged tightly the valley side and swerved in and out of minor gullies. We soon reached an altitude where we could look back at the distant Lac de Sainte Croix. Leaving the lake behind we entered the gorge proper.  photos give little idea of the scale of the place!  The river Verdon. Now a shallow reflection of it's former size. Geological side note. The Verdon in between glacial advances would have been a mighty river of melt water. That plus the continual uplift from the Alpine mountain building period.  The road cut into the side of the valley  Brew stop The road rises and falls with three further "interesting" climbs. My legs decided that they weren't too keen on the last ascent, where I had to twiddle away in my granniest of gears to keep going. I wa...

Here's the typical schedule for a day on a bike on a Peak Tours trip. 0700. Alarm. If there little time spare after breakfast then put on cycle kit. Otherwise find some normal clothes. Wash etc 0730. Breakfast. Normally a continental style. First carb load of the day. Put on cycle gear.  Pack.  0830. Cases to reception. Day bags in the van. Briefing on the day ahead.  All head off, making sure that you haven't still got the hotel key.  After 20 miles ish. A brew stop. Refill water bottle, drink out of your personalized mug, eat some snacks. Top up sun block. Chat. Head off again.  After another 20 miles ish. Stop for lunch. Sometimes an Al fresco picnic with Isabelle providing a selection of breads, fruit, cheese etc. Plus sweets. Sometimes a restaurant light lunch.  Another brew stop after another 20 ish miles Reach hotel around 1700. On shorter days earlier. Suitcase is in the room. Collect day bag. Shower. Wash kit. Slump. Read and/or view the day's stat...

A start in the cool and shade of the morning. An 8 mile ride to the start of the climb, stopping at Malaucene to buy a souvenir cycle top. I can't back down now! Start the ride in the company of the Canadians, but eventually strike out alone. The climb is bit of a slog. Some steep straight sections in the heat of the sun. Fortunately Isabelle and Rob provide some welcome shady waystations where I could cool down and refuel. Much of the road is bordered by trees, so there is nothing much on the way of scenery until you reach the last section. The lol support van heading to the summit.  The final hairpins  A roadside photographer took this action shot!  The obligatory cold summit shot!  The gradient map  The way down  A bleak landscape.  Tour de France graffiti  Back in the vegetation Cooling down with a beer!  ...

Today was advertised at being quite arduous in places, so I kept quite a bit in reserve. As it turned out the long descents more than made up for the long ascents. The brilliant scenery also helped distract one from the need to possibly take a rest! Dawn breaks at the chateau The early morning route didn't start with a steep climb, which makes a pleasant surprise. But then the road rises giving marvellous views of the Vallon Pont Darc and the winding Ardeche river.  Another climb, another col!  An incised meander. Geography teachers pet example.  Step back a bit further...  Crossing the Ardeche via a narrow bridge.  The topography flatten somewhat and becomes a series of landscapes that inspired the Impressionists.  Across the Rhone..  One last climb in the company of the Canadiand ...