A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.
My third year of cycling through France, this trip started in Orléans, followed the Loire to Nevers, then switched rivers to follow the Allier, went through the Massif Central, down to the Med and then back inland before going over the Pyrenees and to Roses (pronounced RosAs by the way). 1121km not including 50 or 60 not counted along the way.
The second part of the trip, from the Massif to Spain was largely the route I'd done two years ago and had enjoyed so much. I'd started in Orléans largely because the dates that European Bike Express offered allowed me to arrive in Allègre to coincide with the Human Powered Vehicle Festival (VPH) held there every year.
Date of event: 7/8/2011
This is more or less the top of the climb for the time being, Cassagnes, the real descent doesn't begin until Bélesta 5km later but all the main climb has finished. It's a beautiful spot, views to the north and over to a large reservoir. I was thinking I'd stop here and try to find a bakers and get something for breakfast.
Indeed there was a bakers, more like a general store actually, they even had roast chickens though they weren't ready yet. Pity, I could have eaten one, no trouble.
What I did buy was a couple of cakes, one of which was like a log type cake, one of those where cake is wrapped around a cream filling. It looked great and the first mouthful was tasty but, my god, it was sweet, even for me. In the end I had to throw it away.
Can't seem to find the name of the reservoir.
The mountain ahead, with two rounded peaks, had been visible for some time, I think since yesterday, but I don't know its name either though it would be in view all day.