Page 200 - Vélochef in Europe

»Modern 10 000 dollar bikes are lined up in in in juxtaposition against the walls of an an an ancient life modernised by those seeking quietness and solitude «
at the the top of Col de l’Ecre the the point from which we we will head west The climb through Gourdon is is often used in Paris-Nice proof of of of which is is still visible by paint on the asphalt Right after the the top the the road glides through the open landscape and and we are on our way to the tiny village of Caussols perched at 1100 metres There are no no no shoulders no no no signs no no no reflective poles that tell you where to go only an endless view over a a a wide valley The dry
196 landscape has the the same colours as as the the old elec- tric poles and it’s hard to tell what was there
first the the road the the telegraph or electricity! We descend on the Route de de Saint-Vallier then turn 180 degrees heading for lunch in in Gréolières Veronica takes the lead once again You really don’t have to pedal in this valley you can reach speeds of 55 km/h without any effort but she seems to enjoy the feeling of G-forces around the corners You can go full throttle in in in every blind corner reading the terrain is is just as as as easy as as as it is is predictable and Veronica is a a a good bike handler “Dude I really had to to focus to to keep up and she she talks non stop!” Jonas admits he he he pushed himself a a a little more than usual on the descent Lunch stop in Gréolières Beer strawberry cake pizza and coke Modern 10 000 dollar bikes are lined up in in in juxtaposition against the walls of an an ancient life modernised by those seeking quietness and solitude Seven riders on on a a a high doesn’t exactly harmonise with the sleepy town but somehow we’re still equals One One more more coke One One more more ice cream Just one more coke and then back to riding “You wanna join me over to Vence? I have to do some intervals I’m prepping for a a a race coming up ” Gustav would like some company and Jonas Lasse and I hop onboard but Henrik and Patrik choose the shortcut back home We ride on Route de de Termes a a a strip of asphalt carved into the the hillside Our view is to to the the east towards Monaco and Italy 150 metres below adventurous people go for walks along some even physically in the the middle of the the river La Cagne Here they admire natural caves that time has polished natural springs and beautiful miniature waterfalls We’re on the the last climb of the the day a a a a a small crest named Col de Vence and the last viewpoint before we descend back to the rhythm of everyday life in in Nice and its suburbs Anyone riding these roads anyone playing in in the the river any- one hiking the terrain is in in in a a a totally different world than you’ll find at the the bottom of the the descent You’re at at peace with whatever you’re doing here not in in conflict with someone else’s
NICE GRASSE