Between gorges

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After crossing the Rhone - and stopping in Chateauneuf du Pape for a delicious lunch accompanied by a glass of the famous red wine - we had a day climbing though another spectacular gorge. I think the authors of the guide we're following have a passion for river gorges!

Unlike the gorge of the Ardèche, where we were riding along the edge between the plateau and the valley for most of the time, in the gorge of the Nesque we climbed steadily from the valley bottom (at the upper end of the gorge) to the lip of the gorge, just before the valley broadened out at the downstream end. (Hope that's not too confusing!) At that high point there was a magnificent view across the gorge at a huge, monolithic spur of rock.

We ended the day at Sault, centre of the lavender-growing area of Provence, and access point to the extremely popular ride up Mont Ventoux. It's a climb of over 1100 m in 26 km, and has featured in the Tour de France many times. (No, Lynn and I didn't attempt it!)

Today we had a comparatively gentle ride from Sault to Forcalquier, but this is just a brief respite before tackling the final three days of cycling. (Hard to believe we're that close to the end of this part of the trip!)

Tomorrow we have a somewhat tough day getting to Moustiers, which is the jumping-off point for the next gorge ride: the Gorges du Verdon. We'll be riding about 81 km with a total ascent of almost 1300 m. (Take that, Mont Ventoux!) If we survive, I'll be sure to provide an update.

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