Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Day 11

Tuesday, May 9
Pontgibaud to Condat
106km

Glorious day of cycling today.  One of my favourite rides ever and definitely a highlight of this trip.

The only downside was that it was a bit cool up here in the mountains.  But with all of the climbing we did today, it was best that it wasn't too hot.

The ride started off poorly for me when I realised that I'd left my cycling sun glasses back in the B&B parking lot. I was almost 5km away at the time, and at the top of the first climb, but I decided to go back for my glases.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the glasses, so I'll need to get myself a new pair when I get home.  I shed a few tears for those glasses on each of today's swift decents.

As I left the B&B for the second time I was at the very back of the pack.  I decided to cycle briskly, and attempt to catch up with others as soon as possible.  I go up the hills as fast as anyone here, so it wasn't too much of a stretch.  The real trick was not to get lost as I followed the route directions without Roger or Charlie around.

After a few up tempo climbs, I passed a few people and caught up with Steve and the girls.  We stayed together for the rest of the day, and were third to arrive (after Rob and Malcolm, who usually cycle alone without many breaks).  Roger had too more flat tires today, which slowed him down a bit.  John has been waiting for Roger and Phil on the hills, so they got in after us today.

The scenery is what really made today special.  Record for most photos taken in a day - smashed!. Initially, it was a few puys (mountains), including some good views of La Put de Dome.  These were tree covered extint volcanos, which created some lovely valleys between them.

In the middle of the day, the highligh was the rapid decents.  After climbing slowly for 30-45 minutes, we'd rush down the windy mountain trails at 40-60km/h.  One in particular was like skiing, with steady left, right, left, symetrical turns that you could really lean the bike into.  It was a lot of fun.

For elevensies (the British snack before lunch) we stopped at a small mountain top shack for hot chocolate and apple pie.  For lunch, we were in the town of Besse-en-Chandesse, with very narrow cobbled streets, and old stone buildings.  I picked up a few pastries from the boulangerie and at them at a fountain.

After lunch, the scenery just got better and better as the mountains got larger and larger.  We saw snow-capped peaks for the first time, and though we didn't cycle very close to them, they made a wonderful backdrop for many photos.  Although the climbs were long, they gave amazing views of lush valleys, with small hamets on the hills, cows and horses in the fields, little clumbs of trees, long rows of hedges and roads that snaked back and forth across the landscape.

Tonight's hotel is just out of town, so I had a 2km walk to pick up some fruit and tarts for tomorrow and give Rosalyn a call from a pay phone by the road.

Dinner tonight was pork, with a huge helping of veggies.  (I believe we made a special request.).  Again, the highlight of the meal for me was an enormous cheese plate, with several local selections.

The hotel itsself is lovely.  Its on a lake, and we all have balconys with wonderful views.

2 Comments:

At 9:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This does sound like a great day!

 
At 7:20 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi! Just want to say what a nice site. Bye, see you soon.
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