a bit of the TET in France

[Nico-D]

Following on from Phil's "shittiest 327kms" report here's a few more pics.

Phil happily buzzing along in the drizzle somewhere in Cantal...

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Day 2 started well with sunshine..

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The trails started to flow well, linking up nicely without too much roadwork....until Phil suspected something wasn't quite right and stopped so he could bash his knuckles repeatedly with a rock in an attempt to increase the rear preload on the donk...

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[Nico-D]

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Stopped for a chat with Ian Womack who's been on the trails for 6 weeks and having heck of an adventure, including a pretty scary time in Albania !
Top bloke and we were able to swap a bit of useful info.

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Sadly this is where Phil had to head home with a lame donk..

Friendly farmer and dog stopped for a chat too

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[Nico-D]

I carried on further into the Lozère, Ian had said that this was a great section....he wasn't wrong

A lunch-time cuppa-soup

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then on towards the Cévennes

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[Nico-D]

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Up on a graded track along a ridge near Mont Lozère

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Before dropping down into forest again..

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[Nico-D]

A little video from the first couple of days.

[Nico-D]

The Cévennes is beautiful, I've lived in France for years but never visited this region before.

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Found a nice peaceful spot in the forest for a "bivouac"

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[Nico-D]

A bit of a chilly night but awoke to sunshine and the call of a black woodpecker.....and a chainsaw !! fortunately not too close .

It soon turned into a warm day,

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Obligatory "my bike in front of chateau " photo

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oops..and another

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[Nico-D]

A bit more tarmac linking up the trails now. Dropping to lower altitude and a scrubby mediteranean landscape. Trails were very dry and stony and mostly easy though every now and again the route would veer off through a gap in the trees into a narrow descent on large loose rocks in amongst gullies washed out by rain.
The low trees and bushes were quite dense so often you couldn't see very far ahead of the actual trail. I spotted some tyre tracks and thought the local youths probably tore around here on crossers on a weekend ..wouldn't want to meet one coming the other way but thought I was probably ok it being mid-week. Then I happened to spot a walking sick being waved in the air above the tree-line ( well bush-line...ooer ) up ahead.....turns out to be a large group of walkers hidden from view and the leader was signalling either to me or his group, anyway they all parted way for me with a cheery bonjour ......got to love France, try that back in the UK !

Found a campsite for the night west of Avignon. Wandered into the nearby village for a beer and pizza, still like summer down here warm enough sitting out on the terrace until well after dark.

Following morning skirted the town of Orange and wound my way through the Côtes du Rhônes vineyards.

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It was a bit warm for sightseeing but did wander round a quaint hilltop village, a bit touristy for my tastes really....don't think this dog was that impressed either...

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[chunky butt]

Great photos there nick....glad you had a good time

[Nico-D]

Once up in the hills the trails were pretty stony, loose and steep in a few places. Dropped down into the valley passing through pretty Provençal villages before climbing uphill on more stony, twisty tracks.

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