My Biking Blog: #gorgesduverdon

Monday, 6 July 2015

100 Cols Day 24 Gorges du Verdon to Beuil 112kms 2200m climbing

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 - Details

Gerhard and Dave

Calum and Karin

paragliders near Gorges du Verdon

Joergen

Mike and Darrell

Tony and Joergen

Gorges du Verdon

Entrevaux

Tony Entrevaux

Tony heading towards Gorges Supremes de Cians

Gorges Supremes de Cians

a fisherman at Gorges Supremes de Cians

Gorges Supremes de Cians

near Beuil

Tony near Beuil (end of a long and hot climb!)

Beuil (Tony Mike Darrell Mark Luke and Ype)

Tom at Beuil

Moonbubble at Beuil campsite

100 Cols Day 23 Manosque to Gorges du Verdon 145km 2100m climbing

Well, a spectacular day for sure. The area of the Gorges Du Verdon is world famous and attracts lots of tourists in the summer season. Before reaching the Gorges there is a very large lake called the Lac de Sainte Croix. Popular in holiday season for water sports. The Gorge de Verdon is massive and you enter it from Moustiers-Ste-Marie perched high on the mountainside. The village has a stream running through it with beautiful views and a waterfall directly under the main bridge in the centre of town. Stephanie and I enjoyed a coke here before heading up the climb. Shortly after this village as a site for paragliding, and several gliders were preparing for flight.
I expected to see some very large and deep gorges at the Gorges Du Verdon, but this was certainly beyond all expectation. We departed from the “Circuit des 100 Cols” to complete a scenic loop of the Gorge. As it was quite hot this afternoon, the grind to the top of the 22km loop was very tiring. The name the one-way road around the Gorge is “Route des Cretes” means the “Path of the Roosters Crest”. So the ridge of the cliffs that it follows is similar in shape to the roosters crest. The river running below is almost impossible to see as it is so far down. After stopping at all the lookouts and taking photos it was a great descent through the gorges, following the river to campsite. The camp is beside a river in the gorge and the opportunity to enjoy a swim and a cold beer whilst sitting in the stream was too tempting.
Tomorrow we start in the Alpes with the Gorges Supremes des Cians (The Red Gorge) and the Col de Couillole which is quite a long climb with a nasty gradient. My netbook battery failed today so can only use it when connected to power. Bit of a nuisance since most WiFi is available outside the kiosk at each campsite and power isn't always available. Will just have to update as the opportunity arises. Garmin link here
Manosque Cycling by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details