The roads of the Cevennes were constructed in the 17th century to permit the transportation of coal and ithe materials through these hills. They were perfectly engineered at an almost constant gradient of around 6%. They are ideal for cycling.
This afternoon we rode over several with the longest being the 8 km out of St Jean where we took our coffee under the plane trees.
The road climbs through the holly oaks and up into pine and then chataigners. It is very dry and the crumbly roadside cliffs have worn away to reveal the roots of the trees. At the top Mont Ventoux was clearly visible rising from the plains of Provence some 70km to the East.
Cloud has been building all afternoon and down in Hippo the air was heavy as we sat with our drinks and cakes bought with our bread. As we sit now under the awning it is raining. The bloke sat outside the tent next to us with his bottle of the local Cigalois has declared this to be formidable.
This afternoon we rode over several with the longest being the 8 km out of St Jean where we took our coffee under the plane trees.
The road climbs through the holly oaks and up into pine and then chataigners. It is very dry and the crumbly roadside cliffs have worn away to reveal the roots of the trees. At the top Mont Ventoux was clearly visible rising from the plains of Provence some 70km to the East.
Cloud has been building all afternoon and down in Hippo the air was heavy as we sat with our drinks and cakes bought with our bread. As we sit now under the awning it is raining. The bloke sat outside the tent next to us with his bottle of the local Cigalois has declared this to be formidable.
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