I have renamed the final climb today as the “Curse of the
Couillole” not the Col de la Couillole. It’s a dramatic gorge climb. The
steep-walled valley has a fast flowing stream running through it and the walls
of the valley are dark red rock. Hence the name “Gorges Supremes du Cians” (Big
Red Gorge). I climbed this hill from the other direction in 2012 on another
tour, “Les Dix Alpes”. I remember it was a hot day and we had already crossed
the highest paved road in France – the “Cime de la Bonette”. It was late in the
afternoon and the gradient was 9% unrelenting and I cursed the mountain all the
way up. Today was the same. The afternoon sun was beating down on the red rocks
and the whole valley was like a toaster. My Garmin registered 42 deg on the
climb. Tony and I rode together and this helped us to set a tempo and complete
the climb. Frank, our luggage truck driver, was there at the 12km to go mark with
extra water and this was appreciated. It was a welcome coke stop at the town of
Beuil where we are staying tonight.
Enroute to the Col de la Couillole we passed through the walled town of Entrevaux. The fortress built there in the late 1700s at the entrance to the valley was the work of the great French military designer Vauban. No one was going to march an army up that valley without having to deal with the garrison at the fort above Entrevaux.
Fortunately we will only have a 7km climb to finish the Couillole tomorrow morning before we head off into the Alpes and the first big mountain - “Col de la Bonette”. As mentioned I have been there previously and I look forward to going back as it truly a magnificent climb rewarded by panoramic views of the mountains which I’m sure cannot be matched anywhere in France! It's the highest point we will reach on our tour. I can recall the short walk up to the summit and I carried my other bike (red Avanti) to the top. If the chance arises again I will try to take my white Specialized with me this time.
Rougon Cycling by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - DetailsEnroute to the Col de la Couillole we passed through the walled town of Entrevaux. The fortress built there in the late 1700s at the entrance to the valley was the work of the great French military designer Vauban. No one was going to march an army up that valley without having to deal with the garrison at the fort above Entrevaux.
Fortunately we will only have a 7km climb to finish the Couillole tomorrow morning before we head off into the Alpes and the first big mountain - “Col de la Bonette”. As mentioned I have been there previously and I look forward to going back as it truly a magnificent climb rewarded by panoramic views of the mountains which I’m sure cannot be matched anywhere in France! It's the highest point we will reach on our tour. I can recall the short walk up to the summit and I carried my other bike (red Avanti) to the top. If the chance arises again I will try to take my white Specialized with me this time.
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| Gerhard and Dave |
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| Calum and Karin |
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| paragliders near Gorges du Verdon |
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| Joergen |
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| Mike and Darrell |
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| Tony and Joergen |
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| Gorges du Verdon |
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| Entrevaux |
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| Entrevaux |
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| Entrevaux |
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| Entrevaux |
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| Entrevaux |
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| Tony Entrevaux |
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| Tony Entrevaux |
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| Tony heading towards Gorges Supremes de Cians |
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| Gorges Supremes de Cians |
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| a fisherman at Gorges Supremes de Cians |
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| Gorges Supremes de Cians |
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| Gorges Supremes de Cians |
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| near Beuil |
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| Tony near Beuil (end of a long and hot climb!) |
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| Beuil (Tony Mike Darrell Mark Luke and Ype) |
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| Tom at Beuil |
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| Moonbubble at Beuil campsite |
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