You’ve perhaps noticed that I’m obsessing a little over water these days. It’s not drastic right now, but I’m keeping my eye out for drinking possibilities now that spring seems to be right around the corner – and my rides will be far longer than 2 water bottles can handle.

Below is a borne fontaine (standpipe) in the teeny tiny village of Russan, just on the northern side of the Nimes hills. It’s typical of water fountains (the potable ones anyway) in this part of France, with this guy having a nifty flywheel that you turn to get the water up and out and into your bidon. They look old – and many are, I’d guess – but this one has 2021 written on it. It’s made by the company Bayard (Lyon), who maybe make all these green fountains. They’ve been doing so since 1881, so they are probably pretty good at it. If you want one of your own, I just saw one on eBay for €2000.

In France we usually expect to find free water on our rides. It sometimes takes a little persistence, but you know it’s out there. How is it where you live, Dear Reader/Rider?