We took a lot of video clips along the trip. Over the next few weeks, we'll try to upload some of the better ones highlighting the trip. There are a few up now (some of which will disappear as the better ones are uploaded). The link is: youtube.com/chadandliane
Kudos to Dale for the idea and setting it up (also for continuing to upload the videos now that we're back!)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
A few more pics...
On the Combe Laval
The Roman theatre in Vaison-la-Romaine
Atop Mt. Ventoux!
Canyon du Verdon
The end of the road was the beach!
We completed all 8 stages, through the farmland of the Savoie region with all the cheese and cream sauces, through the Vaison area with Roman runis, Mt. Ventoux, and our only few days of riding through wine grapes, and into southern France and the dramatic canyons and dry ecology associated with the Mediterranean climate, and finally onto the beach!
We augmented several stages from our original plan, but in the end the mileage from Geneva to Nice was around 500 miles - the Ventoux climb added 60 miles and the ride through the Canyon du Verdon (the Grand Canyon of Europe) added another 40 miles. For the most part we had 4 or 5 riders each day and we covered a whopping 2600+ miles as a group. We're going to look up the elevation gain but we're probably a bit shy, as a group, of 20,000 ft. climbed!
Although maybe a bit much miles per day average, this trip was the most amazing experience! This small section of France rewarded us with grand scenery EACH day, around each corner or over each Col was spectacular - more than we ever imagined. From my perspective two other observations: 1) WAY more forest than we expected, we rode through it every day, 2) hardly any vineyards (exception the Vaison area). We feel like we could ride 500 more miles in France and have a completely different experience...maybe we will!
Pictures and videos to follow....
We augmented several stages from our original plan, but in the end the mileage from Geneva to Nice was around 500 miles - the Ventoux climb added 60 miles and the ride through the Canyon du Verdon (the Grand Canyon of Europe) added another 40 miles. For the most part we had 4 or 5 riders each day and we covered a whopping 2600+ miles as a group. We're going to look up the elevation gain but we're probably a bit shy, as a group, of 20,000 ft. climbed!
Although maybe a bit much miles per day average, this trip was the most amazing experience! This small section of France rewarded us with grand scenery EACH day, around each corner or over each Col was spectacular - more than we ever imagined. From my perspective two other observations: 1) WAY more forest than we expected, we rode through it every day, 2) hardly any vineyards (exception the Vaison area). We feel like we could ride 500 more miles in France and have a completely different experience...maybe we will!
Pictures and videos to follow....
Thursday, September 24, 2009
We made it!
group photo in front of the beach, but the French guy we asked to take
the picture lacked photo composition skills or else really likes his
finger, so this is all we have until we can upload other photos to
Brooke's laptop.
The last day was long (over 70 miles) but enjoyable. More later!
Dinner now.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
More from the same town
provide better updates when we do get it. Enjoy these few pics and
videos in the meantime!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A quick rundown...mostly photos
We're pressed for time because we've enjoyed Annecy way too much and not updated this thing. Unfortunately, we're off tomorrow. The consensus from this group...if you have only one week to visit France and can only pick one place...ANNECY!!! Amazing. Trust us.
The Day 1 ride was fantastic. A good warm up for whats in store. Once out of Geneva we gently climbed through beautiful farmland and small rural towns with centuries old buildings. An mid afternoon lunch in Cruseilles, onto Groisy, and finally Thorens-Giliers and the fromagerie.
Onto to Champagneux tomorrow!!!
A few photos:
Liane headed into La Muraz
Some "moiron" on the side of the road:
Climbing out of Thorens to Avergnoz
Annecy canals
Greta Bay in the chailift atop la Semonoz (outside Annecy):
The Day 1 ride was fantastic. A good warm up for whats in store. Once out of Geneva we gently climbed through beautiful farmland and small rural towns with centuries old buildings. An mid afternoon lunch in Cruseilles, onto Groisy, and finally Thorens-Giliers and the fromagerie.
Onto to Champagneux tomorrow!!!
A few photos:
Liane headed into La Muraz
Some "moiron" on the side of the road:
Climbing out of Thorens to Avergnoz
Annecy canals
Greta Bay in the chailift atop la Semonoz (outside Annecy):
A Typical Day 1 Photo
surprised by the amazing scenery on just our first day.
Leaving Geneva...
navigate, so we were all looking forward to getting out of town to the
country side. Here we are just before leaving.
Friday, September 11, 2009
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