58 miles ridden – 4700 feet climbed – temperature 28C

Today was about stunning views and beautiful towns but we had to earn the opportunity to see them by climbing out of the gorge where our hotel was located. After about 1/4 mile we started climbing – about 1000 feet in just over 2 miles. Just to add a little challenge to it we had a head wind gusting at over 25mph on some of the lifts! Even with a tailwind the gradient was tough. And there’s more…. we went through a tunnel that was also a hill. Normally tunnels are flat but this had the advantage of being dark so we couldn’t see the gradient well.

Once over the top we followed undulating roads around the gorge until we dropped down to St Martin D’Ardeche.

The drivers we came across were much more considerate than yesterday but interestingly at least 50% of the cars were from Holland which may explain it – they know how to be considerate to cyclists there.

St Martin D’Ardeche was very picturesque and Sue and I have decided to come back for a holiday here at some stage.

From here the countryside was decidedly Mediterranean with lots of vineyards interspersed with sunflowers and maize. It really was stunning.

Lunch was in a delightfully shady spot in the town of Mondragon a few kilometres after we crossed the River Rhône. Crossing the bridge was its own challenge due to a crosswind that tried very hard to send us over the edge but still a great view.

The day was heating up nicely and most of us have now forgotten the days of rain and mist. The terrain and geography here is so different it’s actually like being in a different country. The town of Villedieu gave a froup of us an opportunity to stop under the trees for a drink.

The final stretch was both hot and windy and we were all feeling it. Our hotel of course is at the top of a hill looking over the town and compensation for having to climb up a hill at the end of a hard day was a pint of gin and tonic and a view of the castle.

Tomorrow some of us will climb Mont Ventoux – it’s the one on the Tour de France that looks like a lunar landscape with a funny tower on top. Lots of fun (for me at least).