There’s always a little bit of doubt at the start of a long, somewhat-epic climb of a “new to me” mountain. “Can I do it?” Or … “I know I’ll make it, but how much will I suffer?” The second option was what I was thinking this morning when I began riding toward the start … Continue reading Climbing the “Beyond Category” 26-Kilometer Signal de Lure
Author: Steve Wartenberg
Climbing the Col de FontBelle
“Only one more kilometer,” the woman said (in French) as she went by me as we neared the top of the Col de FontBelle. Hey, she was on an eBike. This was the end of a 25-kilometer climb from Sisteron that wasn’t quite as difficult as I thought it would be, but was every bit … Continue reading Climbing the Col de FontBelle
The Secret Road Around Montagne Ste-Victoire
I found it! The ride the locals do. With the help of the guy working at the information booth at the Bimont Dam. Yesterday, he told me: The road to Rousset (the D 56) is very popular with the cyclists. There is a ridge and from here you get the best views of Montagne Ste-Victoire. … Continue reading The Secret Road Around Montagne Ste-Victoire
Cezanne, Picasso and My Mistaken Memories of Montagne Ste-Victoire
My memories seem to have a mind of their own. And my recollections of the loop around the famous Montagne Ste-Victoire (which I cycled in 1995 and 2007) turned out to be quite different from the realities of today’s ride. It was longer and a lot harder ride with way more climbing than I remembered. … Continue reading Cezanne, Picasso and My Mistaken Memories of Montagne Ste-Victoire
Back in Aix-en-Provence and Off to See Cezanne’s Mountain …
It's been a long time, much too long, since I've been in Aix-en-Provence. I think the last time was 2007. But I'm back ... and when I arrived yesterday, late in the afternoon, from Paris, my rental bike was waiting for me at the Hotel Cardinal. Here it is ... Nice, right? I brought the … Continue reading Back in Aix-en-Provence and Off to See Cezanne’s Mountain …
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