Day 9. it's all down hill from here..

The early shade made the early long but relatively gentle climb  quite manageable, but what I gain on the ascent i lose on the descent. 

Our first brew stop was in some shade at the foot of this impressive ruin. 
Then a well lit tunnel. 
looking back up valley to the ruin 

Passing old churches on the climb to the great divide. 
All major rivers from here on drain to the Mediterranean. A marvelous long winding descent follows. Had to make occasional stops to flex my stiff neck (stiff from looking up while on the drop handlebars. The only way that I can brake effectively) and to take the occasional photo. 
Lunch stop was part of the long descent, followed by this impressive viaduct.. 
After Altier the road again rises before leading to an even longer descent. It was either longer in distance or longer in altitude compared to the first descenti.im not sure which! 

Quite a mixture of geology. Limestone, Lava, Ash, mudstone and various cuttings where I was paying more attention to the road than to the rock types. 

Passing through a limestone area! 

Discovering a snake! 
And so to the chateau, our hotel for the night. 
Time for a swim in the pool! 

The stats 

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