Into the Alpes Maritime

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Spectacular riding day! If you like big hills, long climbs, thrilling descents, quaint little towns, perfect temperatures, clean air and a full day of cycling, this was the perfect day.

Yes, unbelievably 3593 meters of vertical climbing in three long ascents.

Yes, those are switchbacks that stretch from the valley floor up to a top at about 1400 meters. Straight (sort of) up the mountain. No cars, about 13 degrees and all alone on one of those climbs you see during the Tour de France.

It was a long day, but not exhausting. I took my time, stopped for a long and lovely lunch at Chez Régine at 307 Route de l'Escarène in La Pointe de Contes, where I had a salad with apples, raisins, goat cheese and fresh mixed greens, two cups of very strong coffee and fresh French bread.

Today was a "no-chain" day, one of those rare rides where it feels like you don't have a chain and the climbs are effortless. The only low moment was when a pro-rider from Crédit Agricole came flying past me on one of the steeper climbs. I was doing a respectable 18 kmph uphill and this guy came by at something around 26 kmph. He also looked 23 and weighed 50 kilos. It was a reality check.