Strasbourg to Nice

[Shadow]

We go up Ventoux today and I am slightly terrified!

No need to be...easy* pace and enjoy the scenery.

*likely to be much faster than you anticipate as you wont be laden with all your gear!

 

[Shadow]

Why rental bikes when you've got your own bikes?

Because going up Ventoux is much easier on a rental road bike than suffering on laden and heavier touring bikes.
Cathryn will fly up!

 

[wakemalcolm]

Why rental bikes when you've got your own bikes?

'cos she'll never get the QoM on a tourer.

 

[Cathryn]

Friday 22nd

Ventoux. Was terrified. No need! Absolutely loved every second!! Buzzing!!

 

[Cathryn]

Why rental bikes when you've got your own bikes?

We brought our own tourers but they weigh a ton and we thought fancy bikes would be a wise investment! And fun!

 

[Shadow]

Absolutely loved every second!! Buzzing!!

Chapeau that girl.
And the boys.

 

[Cathryn]

Sunday 24th

After a lovely rest day in Sault (which included a little ride on the rental bikes before we handed them back), we were back on the road again for the final 3-day push to Nice. Today we did 47 miles from Sault to Greoux les Bains, a beautiful Provencal village! Gorgeous scenery today and plenty of climbing, we are definitely stronger although not faster! Got an orangina in Manosque and then an ice cream on arrival!! Lovely day!

 

[Cathryn]

Monday 25th

65 long, hot, hilly miles. No-one’s favourite day. But there was still a lot of beauty and laughter even if we were a bit grumpy at times!! Grateful for cold drinks! Tomorrow we get to Nice!!

 

[briantrumpet]

Friday 22nd

Ventoux. Was terrified. No need! Absolutely loved every second!! Buzzing!!

View attachment 784538

Big mountains are usually just long slogs - as long as you go at a comfortable pace there's no reason to be scared... unless Ventoux were to live up to its name and match its record wind speed of 300km/h!!

Well done though... it's the reputation that gives trepidation!!

Good luck with your last day!

 

[BrumJim]

Friday 22nd

Ventoux. Was terrified. No need! Absolutely loved every second!! Buzzing!!

View attachment 784538

Those smiles are magnificent.

 

[Cathryn]

Tuesday 26th

We made it to Nice! 54 miles today! We climbed through the glorious Foret de l’Esteral with incredible views of the sea and then churned out 30 quite stressful miles along the seafront through Cannes and Antibes. Most unpleasant! But we made it to Nice and Nice is wonderful! Our journey ends here with few rest days and then travel back on Friday! Thank you for letting me share it and for all the encouragement! It’s been so much fun!

 

[Cathryn]

Bonus…went to Monaco today. If you drag a 15 year old boy across Europe on a bike, you pay him back in fancy car sightings! Anyway, I was on high alert for Pog and Urska. I didn’t see them but I did find his Giro pink jersey on the wall of an ice cream shop and the girls there enthusiastically told me that he and Urska are regulars!!!

 

[Cathryn]

In case anyone needs some easy reading during a stormy weekend, I finished the CrazyGuy journal of our trip. It’s here:
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3d2&doc_id=26660&v=6f

 

[StuAff]

In case anyone needs some easy reading during a stormy weekend, I finished the CrazyGuy journal of our trip. It’s here:
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3d2&doc_id=26660&v=6f

The 'probably expensive' car in Monaco isn't. Citroën Ami, UK price £7,695 (which for a car, is practically loose change from the back of the sofa these days).

 

[Cathryn]

The 'probably expensive' car in Monaco isn't. Citroën Ami, UK price £7,695 (which for a car, is practically loose change from the back of the sofa these days).

Well!!!! Now I definitely want it!