It’s a long way back

to fitness after a period off the bike due to a combination of illness, bad weather and, if I’m completely honest, a lack of motivation.

Indoor rides on Zwift are my baby steps as I embark on this road back to fitness. There’s no hiding my poor fitness though on an indoor trainer; the low power numbers are clear to see. But hopefully it will also show my improvement over the coming weeks.

What I lack right now is a target. Something to motivate me and to aim for. A cycling holiday in Denia or Gran Canaria? A trans Pyrenees tour? We’ll see I guess…

Here again…

I created this blog back in 2019 to record my exploits as I cycled from where I live in Derbyshire, England down to Nice on the south coast of France. So back then it had a specific purpose. I retained the blog as a reminder of the trip but it has remained dormant since then. Until now!

I don’t intend to use this for any specific purpose or to record the activities from a specific event, but just as a general blog. I don’t expect anyone to read it and I won’t, for now at least, go telling anyone about it. Let’s just see how it goes…

The last leg

I knew that the final stage was always going to be a highlight in terms of both the scenery and physical demands. I wasn’t disappointed.

After a short descent out of Moustiers-Ste-Marie I began a long climb to Source de Vaumale at 1,180m. Fortunately it was still cool and I was also able to grab a breakfast stop mid climb at Aiguines. Later in the climb I was overtaken by a guy in jean shorts and no shirt on a pretty clapped out bike!

The route then passed through Gorge du Verdon, which is huge and absolutely stunning. There are some photos below that will not do it justice.

Given the amount of climbing, progress was very slow. Eventually I arrived in Castellane for lunch. It was just a boring and basic pizza unfortunately – not one of my better lunches of the trip. From there and until the final descent before Nice, all I can recall is heat! This was tough. The scenery was still amazing, but it was hard going.

It had to end though. I eventually began descending and, wow, what a descent! I pulled over a few times to grab pictures which are below. Again I doubt they do the scenery justice.

After the descent there was just the issue of negotiating the Nice road network and traffic before picking up the coastal cycle path. Once on the path it was the usual issues with cycle paths everywhere it seems, such as road works closing sections off and pedestrians wandering aimlessly across it, particularly with huge wheelie suitcases when I passed by the airport.

The endpoint was the Promenades des Anglais in central Nice. I simply pulled up to a wall by the seafront and got off my bike. Finished.

The Lac de Ste-Croix before the climb into the gorge.

The Gorge du Verdon. Second in size only the the Grand Canyon in the US. Hard to do it justice in my photos.

Part of the final descent into Nice. The road snaked between rocks and through tunnels. Overall I descended 800m, which seems to take forever.

The Med!!

The trusty steed. It was clicking and creeking at the end, but it held together.
I’ve tried to avoid doing the whole selfie thing, but here’s one to prove that I wasn’t a completely dishevelled wreck by the end.
Deep sighs of relief from everyone I’m sure, but the ACC sticker made it to the end.

Spectacular and smelly

By smelly, I actually mean fragrant. I passed through the centre of France’s lavender production and most fields were either about to be harvested or had just been done. Some pics below.

The first section part of the ride took me through the Gorge de la Nesque. The views were indeed spectacular and it was great to be riding this so early in the day with only other cyclists to share it with.

Breakfast stop was Sault, one of the three main embarkation points for tackling Ventoux. As you’d expect, there were plenty of serious looking cyclists milling about in the village.

The ride finished in Moustiers-Ste-Marie, which is a beautiful village close to Gorge du Verdon. As a result it is a tourist honeypot.

One more stage to go until I get to Nice. I must admit that the prospect of spending a day not on a bike appeals greatly.

This and the two previous pics are from the Gorge de la Nesque.

Hey dilly dilly…
A final backwards glance towards Ventoux now disappearing in the distance behind me.
I know everyone has been worrying about the fate of my ACC sticker, but fear not as it’s still hanging on!
A few pics of Moustiers-Ste- Marie. Most picturesque.

Beating the crowds

Another early start meant I arrived at the Vallon Pont D’Arc ahead of all the chuffin’ tourists, and also got to endure the horribly steep climb out of the gorge d’Ardêche in splendid isolation. There’s nothing like climbing up a hill to the accompaniment of birdsong and your own wheezing.

I then travelled along the plateau (which was was hilly for a plateau by the way) before descending down toward the Rhône.

It wasn’t long before Mont Ventoux appeared on the horizon.

Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and not a tourist in sight, except me of course.

Please note the artistic way I have picked up the reflection of the rock in the river below. Thank you.

Stopped for my leisurely lunch in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where the plat du jour was excellent if not a little pricey.

An early sighting if Mont Ventoux.

The game of pétanque was a heated affair 😳.

Special mention of the cracking pizza I enjoyed in Villes-sur-Auzon, which was where I stayed overnight. As you can tell, I’m not starving myself on this tour.