The intrepid cyclists were cycling up over the Col de Robert and taking a detour around Lac Chambon, Murol, St Nectaire (of the cheese fame) and Besse (for coffee) and then taking the massive climb up to Super Besse, which varies between 7 and 12% for around 7km. The total ride was about 50km. I hope you're impressed - I was!!
I drove the support vehicle which involved passing them a couple of times, pipping the horn, shouting the "allez, allez" and blasting out a few bars of Born to Run. My job done I headed to the traditional stone and cobble village of Besse et St Anastaise to do some window shopping and have a drink in the town square. It's thirsty work!
I have better photographs of Besse on my camera, which I'll download to my laptop and update.
The scenery was stunning.
It's a mammoth task getting the bikes on to the roof bars...
A cooling dip in the lake...
Finally, you know you are in a ski resort when three apples and three tomatoes cost 4€87!
To round off the day we walked around the crater lake. Lac Pavin. We remembered doing this in 1994 with Rhiannon and our Dutch friends Robert and Erna Van der Pieterman, Maaike, Erik and Frank.
Happy days...
Phalarope....bleedin' autosmell!
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Phwoar!! In this heat...a sincere "king of the col" to you guys....
I'll have to open another cold beer!
Well done guys... You look like you need a good rest in that first photo Tim... Looks a great area we will have to visit sometime in the future.
ReplyDeleteAs I once said I've been to Besse.. the most wonderful tea salon was there. It was the first time I'd seen, smelled, tasted and bought a pot of tea and packets of tea with blue bergamot etc in it. Now of course it is easy to obtain. After that we sat near that church in your photo. At the time it was a festival and heaving with people. Must find my pics!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting about the source of the Dordogne.. and what about that egg stone? Perhaps not religious! Mmmmmmm sparkly waters.. I must go!!!
Oh well done those two stalwart cyclists...and the backup team!
Sounds like you all had a great time and Happy happy Anniversary as well for today. Another reason we must get together ASAP to have a double celebration :-) Take care Diane and Nigel xx
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, the photos look much more impressive on a PC than on a mobile. What a brill achievement - very well done to all involved. Axxx
ReplyDeleteYour photos of Auvergne are very pretty and show the landscape so well. I have always wished to visit the Auvergne but only drove through it a couple of times, without stopping. Some of my favorite cheeses come from the Auvergne: the Cantal (le jeune) le St Nectaire et le Bleu d’Auvergne. Too bad I can’t find the Cantal here in the US.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog to check on me :) I admire those who cycle for these long journeys--I don't have the inclination or the legs for that!
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