Training Log Archive: simmo

Cirque de Navacelles (Languedoc) incredible canyon in the Cevennes. Started at one rim, went down steeply to a 13th C village, then along the valley to the Moulin du Foux, where the river Vis appears out of a cave and a mil was built in the 13th C. Then back up (steep) to the starting point. Great walk!

We realise that today is one of the longest days, returning to Gourdon, and I am wary about the leg so we take it easy. One part of the ride involves 30km up a small valley with only two villages and neither has a shop or cafe. Eventually we get to La Bastide Murat and have lunch. Hot again by this time, and there is still 30km to go, but we're spurred on by the thought that our meal in Gourdon is promised to be the best of the trip. This turns out to be true - a great meal, and this time the 100% Malbec from Ch Pineraie is on the list, so we drink a bottle. Back to Montpellier tomorrow.

Event: Evedon Ridge
 

From St Cirq Lapopie up the valley of the Cele, a tributary of the Lot. Several small medeival towns, but a lot of climbing and it is very hot. First we ride up to Peche-Merle to visit a cave with lots of pre-historic paintings, a very well-presented tour (but a bugger of a 3km climb to get there!).

Our guide hasn't done his sums correctly, and we realise his planned route would be 90+km, so we turn round at St Sulpice. Very hot by this time, so we stop for a swim, and while changing I am bitten/stung on the hip by something - either a black widow, scorpion or centipede. I never saw it, and didn't feel anything at the time, but by the time we get back on the bikes my leg is just about dead, and it is a real struggle back to St Cirq, especially up the last hill.