Ventoux and the End

The last day of riding today. Another wonderful tour, another hard day! The weather could not have been better today, and we kept the riding easy for the bulk of the day. Ventoux was waiting for us at the end, and we ended up with over 7,000 feet of climbing today. For most of the group, it was the first time going up, for others a familiar route.

We set off from the hotel along a beautiful valley full of apples, olives and lavender farms. We missed the lavender harvest by a month or so, but you can almost smell the perfumed air. About 20 miles in, and we stopped at our usual coffee stop on this route. A few building village that seems to be filled with lavender farmers and a coffee shop.

Always a nice view for our picnic lunch. This one overlooking the valley and farms we just rode through.

And we got our first look at the Giant of Provence in the distance.

That weather station looks so far away - and so high!!

The final little bump of the day after lunch on our way to the big finale - the Col of the Dead Man. A bit dramatic, no?

Into the town of Sault and on our way up.

Forgot about this guy, almost half way up the mountain.

3 kilometers left - still looks so far away

Done.

A view of all Provence below

Hanging out over the edge.

Almost like the one at home - Could have used this about half way up!

After a little regroup, it was on to Vaison la Romaine for our last night. Vaison is an incredible little town with an ancient city on a hill side overlooking the rest of the town, and we have been lucky enough to stay in the ancient part of the city. All of the building are many hundreds of years old, and still serve as homes, hotels, restaurants, and shops.

The hotel's garden is a perfect little oasis.

The inside staircase and one of the doors to the hotel, just as proof that we are in the ancient part of the city.

Dinner tonight was a seemingly endless affair, with multiple appetizers, multiple plates, multiple desserts, and many bottles of wine. Not that I'm complaining!

We have had it on prior trips. This tastes like France.

Perfect for a hot summer day.

The duck

One of the desserts. So flavorful, red berries.

Last dessert, lemon, pistachio, chocolate. Mmmmm.

Time for sleep, packing, trains, planes, and cars to get back to the people I love. Speaking of, all of this never happens without one of the best men I know, Mark. Thank you a million times over for making a once in a lifetime trip into an ongoing adventure!

On to Sisteron

There is a new route on this stage than in prior years we have been here. Easier for sure than yesterday and tomorrow, but not exactly the recovery day my legs were looking for. Strava says we climbed more than a mile up, and covered another 65 miles or so. The start of the day remained the same around a beautiful lake, and we ended in the great little city of Sisteron, with its 13th century forts and buildings still holding firm.

Good morning France. From the start of our ride.

The ride takes us about half way around the Lake, so we get to see it from high and low. This morning, the surface as incredibly smooth and still.

Lavender fields across the Lake.

My body started to feel like a cyclist again, so I was able to go fast like the old days for just a bit. I had some time at one the turns in the road to take a break and wait for the group. On the other side of this road is an old bridge and the new bridge. I feel much safer on the new one!

Back together and off we go, up that hill in the pic above to our first coffee stop of the day.

View from coffee stop

And off we go again to the another col. Caught Susan on this one, as we rolled through the countryside.

Pretty nice place for a lunch break, no?

These photos don't do this next bit justice, I think FCH has a better pic posted on Facebook. But, after a nice long downhill, we slowed way down to navigate through these hairpin switchbacks built right up along the face of a massive rock.

Finishing up the day's ride with one last climb - The Col of Blood! - then downhill all the way to Sisteron.

Almost home, and I can't help but wonder what happens in the town of Nibles? Good or bad?

Our hotel has a ton of character and charm, including the old lady at the front desk who giggles at my French. I think these may be the smallest rooms in the Country, however. Case in point - why have one door for a room, when you can just cut the room in half and put another smaller door there? Good thing this is a sports tour, I'm not sure some of the leisure tour folks could fit!

A little walk through Sisteron to find gifts (no luck, sorry)!

Old defensive ramparts

Lavender ice cream!

On to Ventoux tomorrow, the Giant of Provence! Love to all at home.