CycleVentoux

While there are always exceptions, I am continually astonished at how finely maintained even the smallest departmental roads are in France. Even in the period of time I left last fall at the end of our season, and returning this spring, there are several hundred miles of new pavement in our region, newly built rondpoints (ubiquitous roundabouts, that really help traffic flow, and not nearly as daunting as back in the States), widened bridges and bike lanes on major trafficked roads we use to traverse to our intended riding areas.

Every week we explore new rides. The D982 from St. Victor la Coste to Uzès is a case in point – twenty miles of short col climbs, long ridge rides and stunning passages through miles of plane trees such as in this picture. Riding bliss…

Last week was classic Provençal weather with a day of rain, but then sunny, warm clear days. We have been exploring the pre-Alps range of mountains called the Barronies – Beautiful, quiet roads and a café just when you need it.

A day off from riding to read, work on bikes and debate the merits of various pâté en croute. This one wins the day – duck, wood pigeon and foie gras – washed down with a 2010 Lirac from Mont Redon of Chateauneuf du Pape.

Here is a short clip from our 86 mile ride that circumnavigates the Mont Ventoux massif. It includes the ride up the stunning Gorge de la Nesque; lunch in the village of Sault overlooking miles of lavender fields and a thrill ride descent back to the Rhône valley through the Vallée de Le Toulourenc. With Lisa Drake, Scott Woodard, Erik Hansen & Ric Doucette

Early October  With the first snows begining to fall in the Alps we made a last tour of the classic cols for this season. We were greeted by a dinner of raclette and comfortable beds at the Chalet d’Augustine on the Col de la Madeleine road just above the town of La Chambre in the Arc river valley. Our goal was to climb the Glandon and Croix de Fer the next day and make a circuit back to La Chambre – 43 miles. We awoke to a great breakfast of local cheese & charcuterie, yogurt and plenty of good coffee. We suited up and drove down to La Chambre to park and launch from there. We crossed out of town, over the Arc, the autoroute and rail lines heading to the Fréjus tunnel and Italy. The climb begins shortly once out of town and wends up on great road surface, small farms and pastureland. At about mile ten it opens up to high pasture land and the final switchbacks to the Col du Glandon. We were met by snowflakes in the air and a desire to get over the Croix de Fer (two miles on) and down to the valley so we could generate some warmth by pedalling. We rounded a bend, and a charming sheperdess (bergère en français) in her ski parka was bouncing up and down to stay warm, while her collie was making sure the sheep stayed in line. She laughed at the site of us, and said there was a cafe a few miles down that was open. We made a beeline for it to warm up over a double espresso. We descended in rain and were very pleased to get back to the Augustine for a cold beer and raclette warmed via a hardwood charcoal brazier device – very cool, and delicious!