Last day and on to Montpellier

With bikes all fixed, it was our last day of riding. As always, the scenery started as lovely as could be, rolling away from the wine estate and back through the countryside.

For whatever reason, there seemed to be even more hillside chateaux than usual. Almost all seemed still in use, either as a residence or converted into a hotel.

Some rolling hills, and detours due to road construction, until we made our first coffee stop at the top of the one and only climb of the day - although "climb" would be too generous of a word . . . more like a little bump.

The ride today was basically down hill since we ended lower than we started. After some winding and gentle descents, we found our lunch stop of the day. We weren't the only ones looking for a picnic today though . . .

After lunch we hit some pretty awful roads to go with our vineyard views. I mean dirt and gravel. Susan was driving the van today, and did some mid-route calculations to get us on to a little busier but much nicer roads for the final push home.

(5 kilometers to go, regrouping - B is all smiles)

The hotel, a converted distillery was by far our nicest hotel of the trip. A few of us found our way to the pool for a refreshing splash, before celebration drinks, of course.

I taught the bartender how to make a negroni. Always happy to be of service!

Our hotel was in Pezenas, where Moliere was based and put on his plays for some time.

Dinner for the evening was in a lovely courtyard, and went on for many, many, hours. With no ride the next day, why not?! It was our last chance to share stories and jokes while sharing wonderful wine.

(ask Chris about the Rum Baba)

(nothing to do with Moliere, just a cool looking bike!)

With the sunrise the next day, it was time to pack our bags, say final goodbyes, and load up the van. Mark, Chris, B, and I caught the train for Montpellier until Monday's flight home.

(at the Montpellier hotel terrance for some aperitif)

(bar kitty)

Pizza sounded like an amazing option for lunch today, and fortunately it wasn't hard to find.

(pizza dog)

Dinner was one of the best meals I've had, at Le Petit Jardin. Fortunately Mark made reservations a month ago.

(tomato with watermelon, wild thyme, and fresh goat cheese)

(beef with crispy polenta, fois gras, roasted cevennes onion and juniper sauce)

(Grand Marnier Soufflé - the specialty of Le Petit Jardin)

Tomorrow starts our voyage home, and we all can't wait to see loved ones. Of course, what can I say about the master mind who puts all of this together. Mark is the best, and that's too simple a thing for how special he is. Yet, he is simply the best.

Catching Up!

Wifi interruptions have made updating not an option for a little bit - apologies back home! But, here we gooooo! A couple days ago was the Cirque de Navacelles. Leaving our village and riding in and out of the Cévennes national park, the temperature was perfect, air was clear and sun was shining.

Climbing to the top of a plateau, the scenery turned into what looked almost like rolling grass lands, including buffalo ranches.

(The first of many climbs in the day)

The rolling fields quickly gave was to thick forested gorges.

After a nice little descent, we came to our first coffee stop of the day. While I can't remember the name of the town, one of the buildings on this square was for sale - and my guess it was going for a song.

(while my bike was still working . . . )

Back on the road, and a climb out of the village back to the top of the plateau.

(our next little col)

(B and Susan leading the group)

Lunch under the shade of some old trees, and a little creek to provide a little cool.

And another little col after lunch. Which is when my day got a little frustrating . . .

(I like the bike and fountain pic better)

(A reminder of the impact of WW 1 on these little villages. The Bourrie family lost three people in 1915 another in 1916, still another in 1917. The Barral family lost three in 1916 and another two in 1918. Entire families lost).

And then we move on to the highlight of the day, the Cirque de Navacelles. I wish the beauty of it came through the photos. It is completely breathtaking. The ride took us all the way down to the village, and then right back up the other side.

(B headed down)

(The top of climb was painfully steep - maybe some of the steepest we have seen on our tours)

(looking back from the top)

Team Barron feeling a little worn out by that climb

We stopped to regroup, and looked across the road to see this artist studio. Your guess is as good as ours as to what this.

And on to home for the night.

The hotel was an old wine making estate, which sounds a little nicer than it actually was. But, the grounds were beautiful and the old buildings were classic to the French countryside.

Dinner was completely different. A large BBQ set up in the middle of the courtyard, with all kinds of things from meat to veggies laid on. We just grabbed what we wanted through the evening - and topped it off with marshmallows.

(a lot of sheep in the area)

(owner, chef, resident funky lady commanding the grill)