Digne-les-Bains to Trigance: Lavender and the Gorge de Verdon

June 21, 2018

On the road again for the last 3 days of riding. Today we road to Trigance via Moustier Ste Marie. I was another fairly long day with climbing, 93 km and 5000’. My legs had mostly recovered at least aerobically but I had absolutely no “jump” in them so each climb was a slow grind. Nonetheless the ride wa again beautiful. We came across the first real lavender fields and had a brief stop in the mountain side town of Moustier Ste Marie after which there was a 16km climb the first third of which averaged 4-5% and the last two thirds averaged 6-7%. Luckily there was a nice downhill through the gorge after the climb, We spent a good bit of time in the Gorge de Verdon today but will have even more tomorrow. We are staying in the Châteaux de Trigance tonight which is a real refurbished castle perched up a 1.5km climb that averaged 7%. Just what I needed at the end of the day. However I lucked out with a fantastic room with a great view of the valley and a lovely cross breeze. We had a massive thunderstorm before dinner and I managed to capture a lightning bolt.

A seriously well maintained crop of lavender

My new favourite drink during a ride. Orangina which is a minimally sweet mixture of organge, lemon and grapefruit juice cut with some sparkling water. Very refreshing on a hot ride.

A view of Lake St Croix as we approached the gorge.

My cycle buddies coming around a bend in the river just before we turned towards Trigance.

The Château de Trigance and yes we had to ride our bikes up there.

A closer view of the Châteaux that dates back to the IXth century with monks as an abbey. It really came into its own as a manor in the XIVth century under the Seigniory of Trigance. It ultimately was ruined but resurrected starting in 1961, culiminating in its current state as a hotel.

Mr Darcy checking out my bed. Now I REALLY feel like a princess.

A view of the village of Trigance from the Châteaux above.

The upper deck, my room is off to the right.

The valley below as I went off to bed and after the storm.

A lightning bolt over the mountains in the distance.

Enjoying an apple turnover in Moustier Ste Marie.

Today's ride: 93 km (58 miles)
Total: 1,635 km (1,015 miles)

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