Photos now added
Day 12 Vaison-la-Romaine
77 miles
3655 ft climbed
There are some cycling days that are really hard to beat. Today was one of those days. We had everything, cycle paths. Quiet roads, busy roads, uphills, downhills, flat straights, a bit of sun, plenty of rain, wonderful scenery and less desirable stretches.
The forecast for today was that it would start dry and the rain would set in by 2pm this afternoon. This was proved correct. We therefore decided to leave nice and early and were up just after 6 and away from the campsite fed and watered just after 7.00. A good start.
Back in Le Puy the professional cyclists were about to set off for stage 3 of the Tour de France practice race the Critérium de Dauphiné which this year features all the top guys including Chris Froome. We nearly stayed an extra day to watch but having seen the bad weather there again today had made the right decision to press on.
The first section out of Aubenas was on main road but getting us off the main road running next to the Ardeche river before taking us through a village. The route then went through a travellers encampment with crumpled cars and metal on one side and caravans on the other. The only dog was too small to worry about but barked enthusiastically. Luckily the track we cycled on was good enough to take us through to the next village without us having to return through the encampment having woken them all up!
Returning to a larger road but running on the road apron, traffic was not too troublesome, although we were past by two lorries, the second, a cement mixer, swerved back abruptly onto our side and then proceeded to have an enormous tank slapper for 300 metres as the driver grappled with keeping it in a straight line.
A short cycle track up an over a hill to avoid the main road was respite from the traffic and a good early work out which took us to the small town of Vallon Pont d’Arc. Just beyond the town is the fabulous Pont d’Arc, a natural bridge over the Ardeche and the gateway to the gorges of the Ardeche.
A photo stop then led to breakfast outside the camper at 9 am with some top quality pain au raisins and chocolate croissants. As ever Nigel continued to spoil us. Dom who by now was back at work sent us a message saying that he was already missing our breakfast stops.
After following the corniche road along edge of the gorge for a while we then had a two mile climb through a few small tunnels to the top of the plateau which the gorges of the Ardeche bisects. We passed a coach load of tourists at one viewpoint, they just stared at us as we cycled by obviously thinking we were bonkers.
The roads over the plateau were superb as they were less frequented than the main road and it was noticeable that the flora had changed from earlier in the trip. The adjacent crops were very mixed with Cherries, Lavender, Vines, Apples, Sunflowers, & Olives as well as wheat and barley.
Dropping off the plateau back down into the gorge we benefited from several stunning views. This was great cycling.
Our next challenge was to cross the busy Rhône valley, a couple of pretty bridges helped, but a half mile stretch on a busy road was not so good and for once I had programmed the satnavs incorrectly. Reverting back to the emergency paper map I managed to route us back to where I had agreed to meet Nigel for lunch which was after a 400 ft climb over the town of Mondragon.
Up to now it remained dry with only the occasional spot of rain, we even saw a milky sun for a bit. Lunch was a feast of scrambled egg and smoked salmon on baguette with some rather excellent cheeses.
As we started to pack up the table the drizzle started to get a bit harder so we actually set off quickly at 1pm. After only 5 miles the rain started to get harder so we stopped just as Nigel came up to overtake. Here Chris decided he was wearing too much and stripped off, finally getting his top back on at the fourth attempt!
We were now cycling in the heart of Cotes du Rhône country where Nick visited his own vineyard!
The famous wine towns of Cairanne and Rasteau were crossed as the rain got worse, by this time we were all soaked both from the rain above and the spray from the road below. The last time I was in Rasteau the temperature was over 30 degrees C. 
A last cycle path along an old railway before entering Vaison and a brief argument with a lady motorist who actually had to run over the central reservation to get passed Chris ensured that we safely arrived dripping wet and ready for a cup of tea at the campsite.
We then warmed up with a nice shower Chris also dried his wet coat in the dyson hand dryer !! Nigel then laid on fajitas with a quality patisserie bought raspberry tart to follow.
A brilliant, awesome or magnificent day however you want to call it. As I write this blog the rain continues to pour down so the decision to start so early was certainly the right one. The weather tomorrow looks more promising and our next challenge of the conquering of Mt Ventoux looks a distinct possibility.
nbjtours 