Today was a hard day - the longest in mileage, with a brute of a climb in the middle, and really technical descents because of skinny rough roads, with sand and gravel all over the place, and hot-hot-hot. Not that I'm complaining, it was another wonderful day of riding amongst amazing landscapes. Today's ride saw more of the rural, and small towns perched on steep hillsides.
Calvi to St. Florent (another pretty little port town). Only 70 miles, but over 6,000 feet of climbing and a few good patches of 12 and 13% grades.
The day started with a climb out of Calvi, and a treat of looking back on the town from above - although the climb was a tough way to start out!
And at the top, started the pretty hillside towns . . .
(the top of the first climb from far away)
We rolled along for a while, gradually going back down to the sea, but staying up on the mountain ridge line, where village after picturesque village came and went.
We eventually dropped down to L'Ille Rousse, which was a suprisingly bustling little vacation town. Bars and cafe's were overflowing, and our trailing mini-bus spent 20 minutes trying to find parking. The people watching was spectacular, starting with this older couple sipping liquer in the afternoon shade of the town square.
And continued with these classic guys. The fellow in the blue shirt held that exact pose for extremely long periods of time, just staring out and folks walking buy. The yellow shirt magically appeared and never lit that cigarette.
(Corisca loves their abstract nudes, I've come to learn)
A quick jaunt out of town after our coffees, then onto this climb - which I found to be a leg breaker. Completely exposed to the sun from bottom to top. The views at the top were grand, looking several thousand feet above down to the sea on one side and up at snowy peaks on the other.
(Hawks began to circle our picnic area, dropping down to pick up left overs. One left with a snake - we didn't have snake, that was just coincidence)
After a long descent, we came out amongst olive groves for our final climb up and over to St. Florent.
(Looking back at the valley from where we started our last climb, and getting another view of the sea, where we are staying tonight))
We rolled into St. Florent and a lively town square, with a heated match of petanque underway.
The hotel cat greeted us, before the best hotel view on earth!
(This is the view from my bed - please disregard the laundry setting out to dry!)
The stars are incredible tonight, shinning over a black sea. I'm thinking of those I love who will see the same stars soon. Hugs and kisses.
Oh my......that looked like a whole lot of hard climbing! Can't believe you had energy left to post the gorgeous pictures but so glad that you did! Spent the day with Annie and kids and James said he might be getting a friend for his bunny and Syd said something about a mermaid with coral earrings.....hmmnn, know anything about that?
ReplyDeleteMaybe tomorrow will find some easier riding for all of you!
Thank you for posting even though I am sure you were so tired. The pictures are amazing, and the views were worth all that hard climbing. Love the pictures of the locals, how interesting they look! And the view from your room is stunning! Wow.
ReplyDeleteSyd has been telling everyone about how Daddy saw a mermaid! So cute.
Love the kitty. And I must say that you do have the most incredible views. Such a great adventure. And I agree with Mary and Annie - I know you are exhausted and yet you take the time to post such beautiful photos of your journey. Thanks Peter!
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