| France contd…(1 more pages) |
|
|
|
|
Email | Twitter | Facebook | iPad |
Terms & Conditions | Privacy
|
Powered by inbro
|
Page
Text Content
France - St Malo to N ice
16 DAYS, GRADE 3-4
F
ew would argue that France is the `spiritual home of cycling'. The French love affair with the bike began in 1861 when Ernest Michaux and his son invented and manufactured the first pedal and crank - the modern bicycle was born. Very rapidly cycling caught on around the country, and indeed, the rest of the world. But it wasn't only a means of transport to the French, it soon became a leisure pastime and then a popular sport. On May 31st 1903, a mere 42 years later, 15 men set off on the very first Tour de France. The rest, as they say, is history and since those early days there has never been a more appropriate destination for the touring cyclist to visit; there simply is no better way to appreciate the home of the bicycle than pedalling one through this beautiful country. This `Channel to Med' adventure takes us from Brittany's St Malo shoreline and doesn't stop until we reach the dazzling glamour of Nice on the French Riviera. Our journey of more than 900
miles takes us through some of the country's most striking and dramatic landscapes. We begin the ride from the 8th century abbey of Mont Saint Michel and make gentle progress on a carefully chosen route which rarely strays from minor roads and quiet lanes into the Loire valley. Our ride along the banks of the Loire is the first of three encounters with France's major rivers as we move south via the Dordogne and Rhône Valley. After just over a week in the saddle, the riding begins to get a little more challenging as we reach the Cévennes National Park and climb the Col de Tribes, a respectable 1069m above sea level and the highest point on our tour. Dropping down into the Ardèche and onwards into the Vaucluse region we'll spend an evening in Châteauneuf du Pape where we will undoubtedly spend some time sampling the wine for which the town is famous. The remainder of the tour is spent in Provence which, with its breathtaking scenery, dramatic gorges and picture postcard villages and towns, will for many be the highlight of the journey.
26
For full details visit www.skedaddle.co.uk
|
