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Airport bound
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All packed and waiting for the airport shuttle.
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Into Spain (day 1)
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We started in France and rode a few miles back into Spain before resuming our journey eastward.
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Axat (day 1)
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Pretty bridge at Axat, where we had a snack stop. On the Aude.
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Col De St Louis descent (day 2)
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Brian Barrett pondering the corkscrew below. A total loop of 540 degrees.
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On the Col de St Louis
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Bob Waddilove, descending after the corkscrew.
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Gorge du Galumus
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Pretty gorge. There is a cave dwelling in the cliff face below, not visible in this picture.
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Gorge du Galumus
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After climbing down the cliff and through a tunnel, we arrive at the grotto-shrine. Note the virgin looking at herself in the mirror.
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Gorge du Galumus
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Looking back into the gorge from above.
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Wood carvings, Puicheric (day 3)
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At a lock on the Midi Canal (River Aude), we found this wonderful garden of wooden statues.
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Wood carvings, Puicheric
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At a lock on the Midi Canal (River Aude), we found this wonderful garden of wooden statues.
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Ambialet
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From near the church, with town and river below.
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Ambialet, France
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Arial view of the isthmus at Ambialet. The church we visited is visible on the hill in the background.
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Kleber and his garden
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Day 5, at the Azams', Montans
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Montans
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With the Azams, in their front yard
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Cordes
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15th century hilltop town.
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Cordes
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One of the streets.
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Cordes
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Heading back down again.
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Albi, sunken garden
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Garden behind the museum in Albi. This is all done with colored foilage. There are no 'flowers'.
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le Rozier'
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Lovely restaurantat the junction of rivers Tarn and Jonte. Rosemary is peering back from under the foliage. Stayed downriver a few miles in Riviere sur Tarn, but next time we would stay here.
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Chambres on the Gorges de la Jonte
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Hotel guests put their baggage in the trolley, for transport across the river. I guess the guests have to swim. (Day 7)
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Valleraugue
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Lovely village beneath Mont Aigoual.
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Valleraugue
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Locals playing bocci ball.
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Valleraugue
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From above the village, on the lower part of the "4000 steps" footpath to Mont Aigoual.
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Climbing to the Corniche des Cevennes
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Day 8. Our longest day's ride: 90 miles and 5700 feet. Rained on us later.
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Ruoms
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Wonderful small town on the Ardeche above the gorge.
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Pont d' Arche
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At the beginning of the Gorge de l'Ardeche. Lots of kayaks on the river through the gorge.
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Gorge de l'Ardeche
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The road is along the canyon rim for about 30 km. (And it ain't flat!)
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Plundering
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Snitched an apple from the plentiful orchards along the Rhone near Pont-St. Esprit.
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Orange
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Gateway to the town of Orange, with authentic Roman arch. Supposedly the Arc d' Triomphe in Paris is modeled after it.
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Orange
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The Roman collesium, which is still used.
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Orange
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The Roman collesium, which is still used.
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Gorges de la Nesque (day 10)
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This was a beautiful alternative to the Mont Ventoux option.
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Gorges de la Nesque (day 10)
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Looking back along the gorge. Note the road as a thin band threading back on the right. We missed the adventure with the tour bus that had to turn around on the narrow road.
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Aurel
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Relaxing at the end of the day.
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Tea stop, day 11
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Leader Ken, ready for the peleton
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According to Ken, the pros in France still prefer the 'hairnet' style crash helmets.
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Attention getters on the Meouge
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Oh damn. Not enough resolution!
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Sisteron
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Nice bunch of shops here.
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Sisteron
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Looking across the river Durance from the town. Note rock climbers in the gap.
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Sisteron
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Looking up at the Citadel overlooking the town.
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Clues de Barles
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On the river Bes, as we enter the Maritime Alps region.
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Lac de Serre-Poncon
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We all stopped halfway down a steep descent to the river Ubaye to take in the view.
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Col d' Larche
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And on day 14 into Italy, although briefly.
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Col d' Larche
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Tim Moss inspecting the monument to very famous cyclist Fausto Coppi.
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Above St Entienne
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On our final day, we hike instead.
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Discovery!
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Rosemary picks the hazelnuts, ..
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Improvising
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and Mark breaks them open.
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Shepherd's cabin
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High above St Entienne, we find this cabin still used it seems.
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