On Sunday we cycled from Fentimilgia, Italy across into France. My first time crossing a country border on land, yet alone bike. After much umming and ahhing, we decided to take the scenic inland detour rather than the straight forward coastal route to Nice. This, of course, involved a lot of uphill... and beautiful views (when there wasn`t clouds) up to over 900m altitude. We camped about 20km before Nice.
MONDAY
The idea was to have a day off in Nice: get washing done, internet, bikes serviced and generally relax and explore Nice. Of course there was the usual mission of actually getting into the city. Managed to find the tourist office; nearest camping apparently 15km away - almost the distance we had just come. We looked into hostel options; found one but no rooms available. So finally decided to camp at along the coast. Turned out to be a very cool cycle lane (complete with own traffic signs/lights) almost the whole way along beach front, 10km to campsite.
Did laundry: and then Byrdies idea of a `day off`; cycled back into Nice and explored by bike (actually I was more than happy to cycle in as cycle lane was fun and probably just as quick as waiting for train).
TUESDAY
The following day we cycled 78km from Nice up into Plateau de Caussols; a climb of over 1000m. through cute villages, lovely gorge, cool tunnels, steep rocky clift faces and waterfalls. I was openly admiring one waterfall and Byrdie brought me back to earth `This is a classic example of cycling endorphins making something seem more amazing than it actually is`. oh
Once we had done most of the uphill the rain started and continued until we reached our campground. which was closed. but fortunately the owners were there and let us stay and even opened the showers for us; hot shower... bliss (we probably looked wet and miserable). ended up setting up tent on sheltered porch.
WEDNESDAY
On the following day, we set out to the Gorge du Verdon; the largest canyon in Europe. Unfortunately it was raining again...
Gorge was incredible... the clouds made it even more dramatic. some hard cycling uphill, but the amazing downhill made it all worthwhile; sheer rock cliffs, green rivers and torquoise reflecting lake... and the rain had stopped!
In fact by the time we got to our campground in Moustiers-Ste Marie the sun was out. Our tentsite had perfect views of the old town nestled in rocks, with a gold star hanging between cliffs...
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