Day 5 Carces to Les Arcs 19 miles 909ft

We'll we're back to plan B,  it's far too hot to cycle after mid day, in fact it's really too hot to do anything in the afternoon other than stay in the shade and sweat a lot. The forecast is to stay as hot, or hotter. until at least the end of this week so we decided yesterday afternoon that we'd be better coming home early and making the most of the rest of our holiday back in Scotland,

So it was up and away by 7.30 this morning on a comfortable 23 degrees and had a lovely cycle back to the station at Les Arcs.  The temperature was up to 33 by 9.30 and officially roasting by the time we got to the station.

We had no problems getting our bikes on to the train to Nice, and we were able to easily change our easyJet booking online for a flight home tonight.

After a leisurely lunch in Nice we got to the airport on loads of time to get the bikes and Panniers packaged up.

Again we had absolutely no problems getting the bikes checked in for our flight

Unlike this optimistic chap we saw wrapping his complete bike,  peddles on and handlebars still on normal position.  He was even trying to wrap it with the panniers still on.

He was later spotted buying a cardboard bike box.

 It has been great to be back on the touring bikes again,  Provence has been  beautiful and we've been reminded how much we enjoy traveling through small French villages. But unfortunately it's just been too hot 🔥

It has been short and sweaty but we'll be back. ( maybe not in August).

The main question now is where we'll get to in the campervan next week.

Day 4 Tradeau to Carces 19 miles, 1400ft

Up and away by 7.15 this morning to get some miles on before it got too hot. In  the cooler temperatures it was a lovely cycle up to Lourges then on to La Thornton on really nice quiet roads.

We then stopped off at the Abbey for an interesting tour round.

By the time we got to the campsite at Carces at about noon it was getting really hot again, about 43 degrees.

Fortunately the site owner had arranged for us to get on early ( rather than 4pm). So it was a cooling shower then onto the nearby town for lunch, after beers!

The afternoon was spent avoiding the sun and having dips in the pool.

We ventured back into town this evening, it was still hot and we found that virtually all of the restaurants were closed on Monday nights.

We did however find a great wee takeaway pizza place with tables outside so shared an excellent meguez pizza an a bottle of local wine from paper cups. Quality!

Still refining tomorrow's plans

Day 3 Draguignan to Taradeau 14miles 340ft

After our very hot afternoon yesterday and forecast of it continuing for the next week, we had almost decided last night that Plan B was to get the train back to Nice and get the first flight home!

However after a decent sleep we woke up to cooler temperatures in the morning and decided that Plan C was to do much shorter distances, get to campsites by lunchtime, and chill by the pool in the afternoons. 

So this morning we set off for Les Arcs (no not that one!) about 10 miles away. It was a great route this morning along quiet roads and cycle paths through vineyards.

unfortunately when we arrived we found that they don't take tents. A quick phone call to the next site in Taradeau found it to be fully booked, however when the owner heard we were on bikes he found a wee space for us.

Excellent afternoon sitting in the shade and using the pool.

It was definitely the right decision to  just do short distances and finish early so that is likely to be the plan as long as it stays so hot. But we have made sure tomorrow's site has a space for us.

Day 2 Agay to Draguignan 29 miles, 1100ft

Very hot again today!  The first half of the day was fairly straightforward although the roads to Frejus and then on to Roquebrune we're very busy with half of France heading to the coast to cool off.

By the time we got to Roquebrune (about 14 miles) itwas getting pretty hot so we stopped for a light lunch in the beautiful old town.  

After lunch the roads and cycle paths were much nicer and quieter but it was really starting to get hot now, my Garmin was showing 42 degrees!

The last 10 miles were uphill, not particularly steep but the heat was searing.  We found we had to stop on the shade about every mile and a half to cool down and drink more, very warm, water.

We've now cooled down a bit at the campsite and are considering our options.

Our original plan was to do a 400 plus mile circuit taking in Mont Ventoux and the Verdon Gorge.  However the weather forecast is to get hotter and stay hot for the next 2 weeks, so plan A is binned!

We're currently working on plan B!

Day 1 Nice to Agay 37 miles 1100ft

Today's route was a tour along the Cote d'Azur.  The first 20 miles or so was along good cycle paths through Antibes and Cannes which generally followed the coast.  Masses of superyachts in the harbour at Antibes and a whole row of about 20 Ferraris, Maclarens and Lamborghinis parked up outside the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.  Most of them with Kuwait number plates.

We then followed the Corniche d'Esteral road, again along the coast, to Agay.  This was hillier and twistier  with spectacular views down to the rocky coves below. Almost every patch of beach along the whole coast was packed with sunbathers.

We arrived early afternoon at our campsite which was right on the beach so we pitched the tent and straight into the sea for a swim.

Then got showered, a couple of beers and an excellent dinner of moules frites at the campsite restaurant overlooking the bay.

It was pretty hot today, about 37 degrees but we coped ok.

We're on our way

Flying out with the bikes is always the most nervous bit of the trip.  Will the airline accept the  undismantled bikes just wrapped in nylon covers? Will the bikes and Panniers arrive at the right destination? Will the bikes survive the baggage handlers?

Fortunately the answer to all these questions today was 'yes'. No problems at check in at Edinburgh, and the luggage all came off the carousel in Nice in jig time. 

A quick unpack and re attachment of pedals and handlebars and were ready to set off for the nearby airport hotel where we had booked for tonight.

We took a couple of wrong turns before finding the cycle path to the hotel and soon had all our gear in the room. It just fitted.

Today we just took the tram into Nice to have some lunch and a wander round. Nice is bustling with loads of grand buildings, narrow streets and busy beach.

 It was  nice to see but we're looking forward to getting on the bikes tomorrow morning and heading out of the city.

The Plan

Here we go again!  After a break of nearly 4 years due to travel restrictions and uncertainties around Covid, the good old touring bikes have been dusted off ready for another trip.

This year, instead of our usual point to point journey, we're planning a two week circular tour of Provence starting and finishing in Nice.  We're looking forward to getting back on the road again with the usual wee touch of nerves about whether easyJet will get the bikes, tent and all the panniers to Nice intact 🤞