TdF Grand Depart is in Italy this year so... topical post ride refreshments while watching today's stage. Cheers!
Sunday 2 gorges ride... but I've a feeling we're not in Sydney anymore! Lot valley to Gorge du Tarn & back.
Today was mostly spent: driving in the rain. If you're stuck indoors, might as well wake up somewhere new tomorrow
Lunch stop on the pretty main street of Morestel. Random cafe we chose had interesting mains & amazing desserts. Nom!
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne cathedral & cloisters. Very interesting & cool (literally!) break from the hot summer sun.
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne town square, cathedral, tourist office & Mairie (town hall). V. pretty with all the flowers.
Great lunch at L'Indochine (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne). Bit warm for fried dessert but glad we had them - super nom!
Great ride up Lacets de Montvernier & Col du Chaussy, but no views from either. Doh! Few nice shots later on though.
When you walk into a campsite's reception & see this... you know there's gonna be some good riding in the area!
Telegraphe & Galibier. Huge snow wall at the summit. Rest much prettier than I imagined. Descent ain't bad either!
Last Italian pizza, pasta & tiramisu for this trip (& a nice local beer). Had to suffice as gelateria closed. Doh!
Views from the road today: Driving down to La Thuile, over Col du Petit Saint-Bernard & through La Rosière.
For some reason I found this vaguely amusing. Maybe delirious after our hike? Should find something to eat, eh?
Part two of our hike today. The impossibly beautiful Lago d'Arpy. Lost for words!
Easy hike through pine forest carpeted with buttercups to Belvedere d'Arpy, which has an amazing view of Mt Blanc!
Couple of views up and down the Aosta Valley from Sarre. What a beautiful place!!
Today's ride: Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard. 40km climb from Aosta to frozen lake, down Swiss side & back. Spectacular!
Spotted in Settimo Vittone, Italy: Jesus is my Airbag. So that explains Italian drivers?!
Lunch at Camping Solcio: bit swish for a campsite restaurant! Very nice pizza (pepperoni FTW!), pasta & seafood. Nom!
Today's ride: Little pootle in the hills above Lake Maggiore. Always beautiful... and even the weather came good!
Well this is alright! Camping right by Lake Maggiore. Even a little beach here, but not hot enough to warrant a swim.
Benvenuto a Lago Maggiore! Been a great day... if you're a duck! Blue skies tomorrow?
Random pizza in Vercelli. Nice, but last one was better. Still not 100% satisfied though - more testing required!
Nice view passing Barolo today. We would have stayed here for couple days if the weather was better. Doh!
HC climb to Prato Nevso on an overcast day... no, in drizzle... no, in torrential rain! At least it was warm-ish
Sometimes it's just nice to know you're not the slowest on the mountain...
Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary, Vicoforte. Very ornate inside. Beautiful square with archways opposite. Love it!
Orange trees as shade? Odd choice! Plenty of ripe fruit already fallen so no wonder locals don't wash their cars
I'm not a coffee person, but... this is Italy where it seems illegal to go out early & not order one at a cafe!
Obligatory bakery craving photo ... Italian edition.
Dawn stroll at Diano Marina. Beach culture in Italy is bit of a shock for us Aussies. I just don't get it!
Dinner & short stroll around Diano Marina. We just stopped here by chance but turns out to be a lovely little town
Bit overdressed for the beach? Nice dusk stroll along the front at Diano Marina (Italian Riviera) all the same
Italian supermarket parking... ciao bella!
Sanger & chips picnic lunch. Does it get any more pommie? Overlooking Cap Ferrat? OK, so slightly more exotic!
Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Col de Vence - no pics as no view from top - & the spectacular Gorges du Loup. Awesome ride!
Tootle in hills of the French Riviera. Some seriously steep pinches here... 29% max! Few nice views, but a bit busy.
Travelling in France we like to try local delicacies. Like this, erm, Asian restaurant? Very nice curry though
Stroll in village of Seillans. Fountains & immaculately presented eateries a theme, but sadly bit early for lunch
Nice little square in the village of Collobrieres & Lac de Carces from today's somewhat longer ride.
Pretty cool bike path near Sommieres... and a quick look at the village itself on today's short loop.
Made it over this bridge in a 2.12m wide vehicle today. Sometimes French inaccuracy can be a good thing!
Another successful random lunch stop. Great combo of dishes: bacon, egg & mushroom soup thing, veal & mousse! Nom!
Lunch stop: French side of Col du Pourtalet. Nibbling baguette, cheese & ham while admiring the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.
Views of the Valle de Tena on the way up to Col du Pourtalet. Just a short drive home today - which is handy
Beautiful short hike by Rio Aguas Limpias. Saw a few falls but from noise in gorge below are plenty more out of view.
We normally avoid campsite restaurants, but the menu del dia here looked good & didn't disappoint. Nom!
Spectacular spin up & down Valle de Tena (+ side routes). Stopped for, like, a million photos... here's just a few!
Gotta love camping off-season #WhereIsEverybody?
Bienvenido a Espana! Haven't seen fuel so cheap in a long time! Shame snail isn't more thirsty. On the other hand...