Just the stats: 46 miles,
15.1 MPH average. Three hours fifteen of riding time. I stopped for a total of two
hours the whole day. Sunny with high
clouds all day, 60 to 74 degrees. Elevation 347 feet. We climbed 2,750 feet and descended 3,024
feet.
Calories burned on the ride – 2,818. My average heart rate during this ride was 123 bpm. Maximum speed – 37.3 mph.
Calories burned on the ride – 2,818. My average heart rate during this ride was 123 bpm. Maximum speed – 37.3 mph.
Today was another fabulous day. Immediately after leaving our hotel we climbed two miles up a 10% to 18% grade to enter the start of a winding 22 mile long gorge called Gorges del’Ardeche. In a way, it looked to me much like the Grand Canyon in the USA (just smaller in scale). This ride gave us great photo opportunities. It took 2 ½ hours for me to ride the gorge – I stopped at least ten times to take pictures.
I could have taken 1,000 pictures today. I hope you enjoy the views.
If you look closely at the picture above, you will see Mont Ventoux looming in the background, over 80 miles away.
Alexandra, Leanne, Peter, Tom (me) Allison and Brian
We stopped for lunch by this lake.
Peter, Andrew, Leanne and Allison
Shortly
after our lunch stop we had another great winding three mile descent to the
banks of the great Rhone River. With
tail winds, this nine mile ride in the Rhone River valley took us passed vineyards
and fruit orchards before arriving at our hotel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. I have been told that this area is responsible
for producing perhaps the most famous red wine in France.
With
a short 44 mile ride tomorrow I can decide to take on a challenge in the
afternoon that I have been training for and dreaming about but afraid to
mention out loud. Provence is one of the most famous cycling regions of France
and has one of the most challenging climbs for any cyclist to attempt – Mont Ventoux
– more to come!
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