Alès to Uzès

September 23, 2024

Such Peaceful Countryside

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What a difference a day makes. Today was blue sky and sunshine with only the occasional puddle to indicate there really was a storm last night. We took our time this morning as it was a short day to Uzès and with a sunny forecast, we had no sense of urgency at all.

Leaving Alès was straightforward for the most part. We were in a protected bike lane along the river and only had one small glitch. The CN turned right about 15 m early and we found ourselves on a busy narrow road on the wrong side of the tracks, literally. We solved that problem by riding back down the sidewalk to get back on route.

Alès looked just fine in the morning sunshine.

Once out of town, which happened very quickly, the ride was fantastic. Keith tried a new to him app called Cycle Travel and the route it choose was perfect. Tiny roads, no traffic, and in this part of the world anyway, lovely vistas.

New construction. They build to last here.

We were routed through small villages and along the quietest of roads. At one point we both stopped to comment on the fact that there wasn’t a sound other than insects and birds. Incidentally I saw more grasshoppers today than I have seen in years. Hopefully another win for the planet.

An old windmill? A sculpture? We weren’t sure.

And so it went. An incredibly car free ride. We did do some more trendy gravel riding, but the app told us where and how far. It makes all the difference in the world to me if I know I have 2 km of gravel, rather than wondering if it would ever end.

My new first choice for a house in France. The landscaping and architecture were superb.

See the lake? There were lots of big puddles in this section. As for the pushing, safety first!

Then Keith met a horse who took a real fancy to him. This was such a fun moment.

It really was a great route. We stopped in a small town for our picnic lunch. We had one more gravel section but the total distance on gravel couldn’t have been more than 2.5 km. So Cycle Travel for the win today.

Then suddenly we were on a bike path next to the road leading into Uzès and then down some quiet side streets until we popped out right at the old town. After such a quiet and bucolic day it was almost a shock. People, cars, trucks and ice cream. We scored some of that right away. Then off to our hotel where we arrived just ahead of a bus load of giggly girls from a Dublin High School. They are running up and down the halls laughing, squealing, slamming doors and generally having a very good time as I write this!!! Should be an interesting night.

We spent our evening exploring Uzès, having a glass of wine in the center, dinner outside by the pool at our hotel and soaking up the warm weather. Here’s a surprise. The chief photographer took very few pictures of this beautiful place.

We met these two young women from Winterthur in the square. We had a great conversation about our shared interest in biking.

One of my favourite things to do in Europe. Have a glass of wine and people watch.

Today's ride: 43 km (27 miles)
Total: 887 km (551 miles)

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Rachael AndersonAnother great ride!
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1 month ago