My Biking Blog: #stponsdethomieres

Wednesday, 1 July 2015

100 Cols Day 19 Soubes to Ste. Croix-Vallee-Francaise 147km 2800m climbing

“The food was great again!”. Jaap our cook typed this on my blog page while I went to order a beer. But it’s true, so I will leave it in! The first two climbs of the day were Cote de St. Pierre and Cote de la Cros. This section was enjoyable as the temperature was cool and the morning air fresh and clear. Five of us (myself, Thomas, Tony, Carolyn and Joergen) decided to take a diversion of approximately 14km.
This was to the Cirque de Navacelles which is a huge natural amphitheatre created by water and chemical erosion of the rock formations in this plateau. It has created a dish-shaped gorge with the town of Navacelles at the bottom. There is a narrow gorge which follows a river to the west, however there no road access and there is only a walking trail.
The climb out of Navacelles was tough but only short (6kms) and we found a restaurant at the top in a campground where we were able to order a refreshing coke/coffee. Back on the route we were concerned we may miss the lunch truck so we set out at a brisk pace.
The big climb of the day was the Col de Minier which went on for just over 20kms. The temperature was hot but because of the time of day and the fact we were riding east there was plenty of shade on our side of the valley.
After slogging up the mountain we enjoyed a lunch stop at Col de Minier. The afternoon started with a short climb up to Mont Aigoual and great views from the observatory and lookout at the top. There was a café at the summit so it was good to have a "3 C's" stop (coke, coffee and cornetto) at 1500km.
The final climb of Col de Solperiere was a real struggle for most riders. Time was 330pm and the sun was beating down on the pavement. Sections of the bitumen were melting so it was important to watch the front wheel and avoid slipping on the surface. At the top of the final ascent a few of us found a bar/café and ordered a couple of well-earned beers.
The final descent was pretty tricky with some sharp turns and very narrow sections. Late into camp (6pm) because it was a long course (147kms) and our diversion to Cirque de Navacelles cost us an extra hour exploring the site and climbing out of the valley. Garmin link here
Fozières Cycling by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details

near Cote de St. Pierre

near Navacelles

Cirque de Navacelles

descent to Cirque de Navacelles

Cirque de Navacelles

Navacelles

riding up from Navacelles

Navacelles - Belvedere information plaque

Le Vigan

Tony

monument to General Huntziger and his companions November 12 1941

en route to Mont Aigoual

Prat Peyrot

Mont Aigoual

Tony at Mont Aigoual

memorial to Roger Riviere TDF 1960

Col de Solperiere

Monday, 29 June 2015

100 Col Day 18 Saint-Pons-de-Thomières - Soubes 116kms 2000m climbing

“Simply maaarvellous days cricket!” in the words of Ritchie Benaud. Ritchie was a great Australian sportsman and commentator. Not sure if his family came from around here but his family name is definitely French. The ride today was more relaxed than any of the days so far, with a number of cols to cross, but none too steep or too long to slow progress to the finish. At 116km it was possible for most of us to get to the campsite by 4pm. Everyone enjoyed the day and many commented that it was the most enjoyable day of the trip since Strasbourg 3 weeks ago. For me it was a great chance to admire the views and look for photo opps. I also had a chance to chat with other riders along the way. The conditions were cool and clear in the morning, with an early start at 730am. The first climb of the Col du Cabaretou was long and steady but not too hard. The coffee stop at Murat-sur-Bevre was very pretty. That’s the great thing about cycling along all these regional roads – you get to see the authentic French country villages, not the worn out tourist trail. Ype chose a very pretty spot for lunch at the 65km mark. Alongside a river with tall trees all around to provide shade. The final climb of Col d’Engayresque was long and hot, but Ype saved the day again with water, coke and fanta at the top. I really enjoyed the day, which concluded with a refreshing dip in the river at the campsite at Soubes. Having now completed more than half the “Circuit des 100 Cols” we have left the Pyrenees and are heading towards the French Alpes. The “day of tomorrow” will take us up Mont Aigoual at 1570m. This hill has been used only once in the TDF (1987). It’s part of the Massif Central, and it’s possible to see the Mediterranean, Pyrenees, Alpes, and even Mont Blanc, if the weather is clear. It impossible to record everything one sees on a trip like this but here are a few photos to give some idea of the experience we are fortunate to enjoy. Garmin linnk here
Saint-Pons-de-Thomières Cycling by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details