The last month has passed by in a blur. Our first cycling guests have been and gone and Phil and I have been stacking up the miles. More importantly, we've been able to ride up in the Vercors much more than we normally would at this time of year. Only just into April and we've already done Die, Combe Laval on several occasions, Col de Carri, Col de la Chau, Col de Rousset, Presles and Gorges du Nan. A few more climbs to go and we can take the rest of the summer off!
Like the rest of Europe, we had fierce northerly winds yesterday so it was with a sense of trepidation that we headed south to Combovin intending to ride up into the Vercors via the Jerome Cavelli, over to Beaufort with a quick detour to the stunning Gorges de l'Omblèze and back, into the wind, over the Col de Bacchus, a 120 km ride with over 1500m of climbing. If the tailwind was anything to go by, it was going to be a tough ride back.
Once we got to Beaufort however, we completely forgot about the wind. It was hardgoing at times with some scary crosswinds, as my top downhill speed of 18 kph from La Vacherie to Leoncel will back up, but it really didn't bother us. The sights and sounds of the Vercors more than made up for it yesterday. It was also the first proper outing for Phil's new acquistion - a 1997 Colnago Master Olympic bicycle, steel with a chrome fork and rear stays and in immaculate and very shiny condition. Little wonder he has been all smiles since he collected it.
And finally, since I am the one with the top to match the colour scheme, it was only fair that I have a go too.
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