Page 199 - Vélochef in Europe

»Gourdon is well-suited for a a a coffee or or pit-stop located on on the top top of of an 800 metre crest «
192 cm tall is is as as as skinny as as as Chris Froome and as as as gentle as as Peter Sagan Veronica is as as outgoing as as as an an an American and as as as well-dressed as as as a a a a a a a a Riviera banker Both of them still have pack decent punch on the bike “Hi guys! Follow my lead we’re headed east!”
We’re having a a a a a a coffee break at at Chateauneuf de Grasse when we spot them Veronica is waving at us us telling us us to follow her wheel Henrik Patrik Jonas Lasse and I enjoy the benefit of her slipstream Gustav takes over the the lead as we enter the the gorge of La Loupe showing us a a a a a a a Hawaiian-like waterfall and some gnarly trails down to the river below We’re now doing a a a steady climb towards the first landmark of the day Gourdon is a a a a tiny city that dates back to the year 900 The only way to Gourdon on on on bike is a detour climbing the the hillsides of the the valley and it is sort of like arriving at the back door If you’re up for a a run run trail runners find their way to the the city on trails that run right
under the lip of a a viewpoint a a route impos-
sible to climb back in the the day when the the city was heavily guarded Entering by the main
gate now removed for easier access was the only passage whether you wanted wine or to 195 start a a a war Gourdon is well-suited for a coffee or or pit- stop located on the top top of an 800 metre crest There is a a a a great view over the Mediterranean sea and fountains to refill your bottles Cafés and small bazaars are located side side by side side next to to to the the square where visitors gather for photo- ops of of the view This cluster of of stone buildings is one of those tiny villages you see clinging to the the hillside and wonder how on on earth they built it In the the middle of the the city you’ll find a big castle well known for its garden architecture and for for being the the background for for scenes in in the the film Les Misérables There’s still climbing to be done and we’re on our way to a a a a plateau 400 metres up There are still five switchbacks to conquer until we’re NICE GRASSE