28 July, 2018

Just when I thought it was all over… well it is now. Only gone a scored an Alpe d’Huez hat-trick. It’s been 5 years since I last cycled up Alpe d’Huez and I’d forgotten what a monster it is.

27 July, 2018

In all likelihood my final cycle ride of this holiday so picked a favourite to finish with. Up to Mons, drop down through Gorges de la Siagne to Pont de Mons at the bottom, up to Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, and finally a circuit around Lac de Saint-Cassien. connect.garmin.com/activity/2883862138

This is becoming a habit now, Kay requesting bread just before I get to Fayence at the end of my morning cycle ride. Wondered how she times her text to perfection until I remembered she tracks my phone.

26 July, 2018

Long ride into the mountains to Gourdon today and it was a hot one. Back by midday but at 11am it was already 35°C. Grasse was like an oven with absolutely no cloud, no shade and a lot of traffic – as usual.

Met some goats on the climb out of Bargemon.

The view from Col du Bel Homme (915m) today looking back towards Bargemon. Usually descend from here but decided to climb up to it today. One advantage, maybe the only one, that climbing has over descending is you get a lot of time to appreciate the views. A helluva lot of time.

Short, sharp storm this evening and these are the Mammatus clouds hanging over Seillans after it had passed over.

25 July, 2018

Cheeky little ride before I head out with Kay. Left her in bed with a cup of tea and instructions to meet me at the bottom of the hill at 9.30am sharp. Some hope.

Final cycle ride with Kay this holiday. No old railway line today. Claviers via Brovès, a coffee in Bargemon, back to Seillans over Col de St Arnoux. Extra loop for me over Col d’Avaye to Callian with instructions to buy bread. connect.garmin.com/activity/2879414472

23 July, 2018

Impromptu evening ride for a change. Figure of 8 circuit out to Bargemon over Col de Saint Arnoux and back to Seillans. Then out to Montauroux over Col d’Avaye and back to Seillans. Seriously considering replacing my 7-10am ride rule with a new 5-8pm rule.

22 July, 2018

Thought I’d try a ride down to Saint-Maxime this morning. Expectations were low but it turned out the roads were good, very little traffic, and unusually the coastal road to Frejus was a joy to ride. Still scratching my head why it was so quiet.

21 July, 2018

Well done Kay you made it up to Mons and back again. Knew you could do it. And you did it with a week to spare! connect.garmin.com/activity/2868185810

Never one to miss an opportunity Kay loves to shop. But really, cycling from Seillans up to Mons for a loaf of bread, no matter how good, is just plain ridiculous.

20 July, 2018

After our visit to the Molinard perfume workshop in Grasse a few days ago I’m very happy to announce two brand new fragrances by Maison de Martin are now available for pre-order. Pour homme there’s OCD – a fresh, spicy and powerful blend. Et pour femme there’s Defiance by Kay – the perfect blend of sweet ‘n fresh. While stocks last.

19 July, 2018

A great days cycling in the Southern Alps just north of Nice and all captured beautifully by Kay as usual. My day on the Turini took me from Lantosque took me over Col de Turini, down to Sospel, over Col de Braus, up to Baisse de la Cabanette, and finally L’Escarene.

The only disappointment today was my Garmin Vector 3 power meter pedals. It beggers belief that Garmin can release a product that simply doesn’t work, and continue selling it for €1,000. The only thing worse than their product is the support they fail to provide.

The Turini is a legendary section of road used in the Monte Carlo Rally. Staged at night it is often referred to as “Night of the Long Knives”.

18 July, 2018

Unusually the same ride today as yesterday. Out to Claviers and Bargemon, down through Callas towards Le Muy, left to Bagnols-en-Forêt, and then a round about way back to Seillans. Hip less sore today so Col de Turini ride is on, either tomorrow or Friday.

Impromptu afternoon of kayaking with Kay at La Base du Rocher, Roquebrune-sur-Argens. 3km from La Base to Lac Noirel and 3km back again. Quite a bit more than the 6km quoted in the end I’m guessing because Kay paddles like a drunken sailor.

17 July, 2018

After the thunder and lightning and downpour we experienced yesterday it looks like we’re in for a beautiful day today – sitting with a coffee waiting for the morning mist to clear before I head out for a ride.

Umm…so my crash on Saturday caused more trauma to my hip than I first thought. Low speed crashes always do more damage. So an easy 50 miles today enjoying the scenery and my Col de Turini ride postponed for a few days.

After dropping down from Callas a nice view looking back up to the town.

16 July, 2018

Kay and I visited the Molinard perfume workshop in Grasse today where we created our own fragrances. I created OCD is the brand new fragrance for men. It’s a fresh, spicy, powerful blend guaranteed to keep the flies away. Hope to have it stores and online in time for Christmas.

15 July, 2018

Two rides in one today. First a 90 min tempo ride to Bargemon and back through Claviers and Fayence. Then a ride with Kay on a similar route. Her first big climb – Col de Saint Arnoux (643m) – and she handled it with effort to spare. connect.garmin.com/activity/2852600064

The view today from Viaduc de Rayol between Claviers and Seillans. The viaduct was built in 1897 by the Eiffel factories for the passage of trains from Pignes to Seillans. It’s curved, 4.5 m wide, 160m long, and has ten masonry arches.

14 July, 2018

I can’t remember the last time I did a road ride and it rained, even longer since I last crashed. Both boxes ticked today. In fairness though the rain and the crash were light. And as nobody saw me crash then did it actually happen?

The climb up from Mandelieu-la-Napoule to Tanneron is a tough one but the views make it worth the effort. Tanneron is considered home to the largest mimosa forest in Europe.

13 July, 2018

Morning ride into the mountains to Castellane today. Been meaning to do this ride for 5 years and finally got round to it today.

No idea why it’s taken so long because it’s a lovely ride, especially the D102 and D252 from Castellane to Le Bourguet on the way back.

12 July, 2018

No riding today but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been pedaling. Loads of fun this afternoon on a pedalo avec toboggan with Kay on Lac de Saint-Cassien. I swear that lake is warmer than our pool.

11 July, 2018

A recovery ride today through Bagnols-en-Forêt, down to Roquebrune-sur-Argens and back over Les Adrets-de-l’Estérel. This is as flat as it gets around here but even so still over 1,000 metres of climbing.

10 July, 2018

Love this ride to Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne because the scenery is simply stunning. Problem is I rarely take photos because I attack the climbs and have too much fun on the descents so don’t get round to taking any. Next time I’ll make time to take some.

9 July, 2018

Grown tired of my usual routes so took a ride out to Ampus. What a gem. Quiet roads & awesome scenary. Home via Draguignan and some familiar roads.

Never tire of this view of the Massif des Maures though – taken from high point on D47 near Bagnols-en-Foret.

7 July, 2018

Note to self: Stop the late starts and follow the 7-10 rule. Out by 7, back before 10.

6 July, 2018

Up to Mons and up to Col de Valferriere (1,169m) and then up some more to Col de Cornille (1,401m).

A bit cloudy last time up to Mons with Dave so just for him here’s the view on a cloudless morning.

5 July, 2018

Two rides in one today. Started with a ride out to Bargemon with Kay. And after dropping her back in Seillans headed over to Callian and up Mons. Back to Seillans via Fayence.