Yesterday, John and I went deep into the mountains (‘off the grid’ were J’s words) to suffer for our clients (well, hypothetical clients, I guess). We have just finished up our route creating for our guided Cévennes tour next summer and needed to get out and see those roads for ourselves (the ones we didn’t know anyway). I must give ourselves a pat on the back – we are pretty good at route planning. This one is going to be a great day on the bike for whoever signs up.
I need to run out, so I’ll leave you with some photographic evidence. If you want a closer view, it can be arranged!
The climb of Perjuret. This is the spot where Roger Rivière took a nosedive into a small ravine in the 1960 Tour de France. He never raced again.
Climbing to the Col de Perjuret.
A deserved drink.
On the way up to Mongolia-esque Causse de Mejean.
3 degrees on top of Aigoual. Never say we don’t work hard!
Lonely hamlet on the Causse de Mejean.
The Gorges de la Jonte. The tour will take in that road down there, too.
Beautiful scenery. It will be a spectacular route.
We wondered whether we should try and bring people onto this route or keep it our little secret!
I’ll be the first to promise your readers … that wil be fabulous cycling!
Thought we’d hear from you! You’ve been up (or down) that Perjuret road, as I recall…
You might even find something about that particular up and down ride on the most excellent site called Cycling Languedoc and Beyond:-)
Can’t wait to hear more about this new route. It sounds like a blast!
PS: For readers who might not know the above-mentioned site: it is Vicious Cycle’s alter ego, or sibling, or something like that.
So it is, Suze! I easily forget about ‘that part’ of CL these days…
Oh, and of course that ‘up and down’ was most excellently documented and photographed, too. It’s really a must read!
Wow….what a route. You guys should be route planners for Haute Route.
Haute Route Cévennes. Not a bad idea.
Looks fabulous.
It was. We even saw a stampede of Mongolian horses on the plateau. It was otherworldly.
Oooh, look at that smooth French tarmac…i can almost hear the swoosh from here. Lovely!
Nice work lads. We holidayed in Anduze (West of the Cevennes) but ventured over to the east of the park on a recommendation from a colleague. I’m glad we did because it was stunning and thankfully warmer when we visited!
We ride up there a lot and are always surprised how good and varied it is.