CEVENNES REGION & THE COAST - 1996 |
Route continued 01/9 Ganges to Mialet. Warm to hot day, cool wind at times. 44mls
Rode up the valley to Sumene. Wedding party on the go here outside a cafe - looked like there had been there all night. Narrow D153 road, gently climbing to St Roman de Cedieres. Road ahead to Colognac barred due to motor rally in progress. Advised by locals to take 'une petite route' to Bouras and St Hippolyte in the valley, not tarmaced for the first mile or so. This was a bit out of our way, but we had no real option. Cafe stop at St Hippolyte before easy climb over Col du Redares 381'. More side roads blocked because of the rally so continued down the valley to Anduze. Watched a local cycle race go through as a troublesome tyre was changed. Carried on via Generagues to a hotel by the road at Mialet. A very warm early evening as we sat outside drinking cool beers.
Hotel Grottes du Trabac: Good room with shower/w.c 220frs. Meals from 60frs. Breakfast 30frs.
02/9 Mialet to Le Pont de Montvert. Warm & sunny becoming cloudier later. 48mls
Bright sunny start as we went through St Jean du Gard(again!) and then the D993 along a very quiet scenic valley to the very pleasant small village of St Croix Valle Francais - cafe stop. Climbing road, on easy gradient, up to Barre des Cevennes(again!) Sort climb over the Col de l'Oumenet 902' then descending to the valley and climbing again (steeper road this time) to the Col de Sapet 1114' - wide open views from up here, and very quiet roads. Descended to the mountain village of Le Pont de Montvert - old stone houses, narrow bridge, river in gorge, surrounded by hills - a beautiful spot. Hotel des Cevennes: Good rooms with shower/w.c 240frs. Cheaper rooms at 160frs
Ascending Col de Sapet
03/9 Le Pont de Montvert to Bagnols les Bains. Sunshine, clouds then rain. 54mls
Gentle 6ml climb over the Col de la Croix Berthel 1038' Good long descent through Vialas (large village with all facilities) to Genolhac. Good views throughout. Gentle climbing on winding road to Villefort, weather clouding over now. Had lunch stop by the lake.Followed D901 winding road on a gently rising gradient through Altier and then a final 3ml climb to the Col des Tribes 1131' - raining now and very misty. Cafe stop at Le Bleymade on the descent before we continued further down in heavier rain to Bagnols - choice of hotels here.
Hotel du Commerce: Good rooms 220frs and good meal at 75frs. Breakfast 30frs
04/9 Bagnols-les-Bains to Les Vans. Couldy then sunnier & warmer. 60mls
View from just one of the lovely village cafes
Downhill initially then gradual climbing on D27 via Arlenc across the Margaride plateau (all about 1000 metres high) then a downhill swoop to Chateaneuf-de Randon for BPF stamp. Cafe stop. Retraced our route slightly with more riding across the plateau in increasing sunshine and warmth. All very peaceful up here, wide open views and no big hills. Went through small villages of Villesouie, Montbel, Belveset and Chasserades. After La Bastide we dropped down on the D151 into the Borne valley, narrow wooded hillsides, lakes formed by the dams further down - a bit Scottish looking. Very scenic. All mainly downhill now through Pied de Borne(cafe stop) and onto Les Vans. A stop at Le Penalty Cafe for a couple of beers and also to put our comments into 'Le Livre D'Or' book for the permanent ride we had just completed. Hotel de Cevennes: Room 155frs (shower & w.c on the landing). Superb 90frs meal.
05/9 Les Vans to Uzes. A lovely hot & sunny day. 50mls
Same climb out as on our last visit on 26/8 then turned off to St Ambroix - cafe stop. A combination of quiet, undulating roads: D51 through St Denis, D187 through Rivieries. Some climbing through a wooded gorge and a descent to Fons-s-Lussan then Lussan. Very hot now, had lunch in the shade on the way. D6 to La Bruguiere, St Laurant la Vernede. D23 through St Quentin before final climb into Uzes - impressive central area, an old roman town. Decided on an early finish because of the heat and found a nice hotel just outside the town - welcome beers! Scenery today not as impressive as previous days, we have moved away from the Cevennes hills.
Hotel de l'Arzon (Pont des Charettes): Good rooms 220frs(quiet at the hotel rear). Meal 80frs
06/9 Uzes to St Martin de Londres. Hot to very hot. 62mls.
Pont du Gard
Short main road section and then turn off to see the very impressive Pont du Gard roman aquaduct. Tourist coaches arriving already at 09:30hrs. Spent some time here, and had a coffee before taking to the lanes through Collis, Sanilhac and onto St Mamet du Gard for our lunch stop. Continued onto the large town of Sommieres, lovely spot by the river, quite busy but well worth a wander around the narrow shaded streets, which we did. D22 and D72 via Galargues and St Mathieu de Treviers(looked for a hotel here without success). Lovely climb on the D1 past the Pre St Loup- white craggy hills, then mainly a descent to St Martin de Londres and the only hotel in town. Hotel des Touristes: Room with shower 200frs, w.c on landing. No restaurant, but a good one up the road.Breakfast outside in the sunshine the next day for 30frs.
07/9 St Martin de Londres to Balaruc-les-Bains. Hot but some wind about. 50mls
Climbed out on the D22 with good long distance views as well as the Herault Gorge as we descended - wooded hillsides and a beautiful still green river. A lovely road this one. Quite a stiff short ascent out before descending to St Guilhem-le-Desert and our cafe stop. Continued onto Ariane and Gignac for lunch in the square as the morning market was being dismantled. Straight tree lined D32 road before turning off on the D2 to Plaissan, followed by a steady 3 ml climb over the last hill before the sea came into view. Came to Balaruc through Poussain and an early finish. Large ice creams and drinks by the waters edge to finish the day off. Hotel Bel Air: Good value 180fr rooms and breakfast at 30frs. We ate out in town. A busy place full of the 'older generation' visiting the local health spa's.
Sete
08/9 Balaruc to St Jean de Vedas,nr Montpellier. Warm & sunny. 27mls
A leisurely last cycling day. Went into Sete, an important old fishing centre with some interesting parts to it, as well as a great location by the Med. Had a paddle in the sea later on before a lunch time meal at Frontignac - outside in the sunshine. Then it was just a very casual ride past the etangs towards Montpellier and the coach pick up at 18:30hrs for the 24hrs journey home.
