Guillestre to Barcelonnette via Col de Vars

June 19, 2025

Another tough climb—partly because it starts off steep and partly because of the heat. At least the temperature at the summit was very pleasant.

We started climbing before we’d even left Guillestre and it wasn’t very long until I came to a single-lane-alternating section past a paving project. Long enough, though, that Al was through in a previous wave and didn’t get caught in the long wait I did (usually these waits are less than 5 minutes but this one might have been 20). At least I got to wait in a shady place.

The hay had been mowed and one farmer was turning it in a lower field while a woman was manually raking it away from the road along the edges of an upper field.

Al waited in Saint-Marcellin, at first in the church where it was nice and cool and then by the potable water fountain when he got cold. After a brief bottle-filling break, we were off and he soon disappeared into the distance.

I finally caught up to him at the summit, hanging out and enjoying the pleasant temperature and lack of flies. This climb wasn’t nearly as bad as Col de l’Izoard in terms of swarms of flies, but there were a few nasty sections. Why they are attracted to my red handlebar bag and my black left glove, I’ve no idea. I’m wondering if there’s some sort of electronic repellent for flies?

The scene at the top—got those who chose not to sit at the café

The Col sign above is behind this cyclist. I wasn’t sure about the monument.

A motorcyclist offered to take our photo together and when I was reaching into my pocket for my phone, he said no and gestured for my camera. He did a nice job!

The descent started steeply and was, I think, more scenic than the north side. But it would have been much hotter!

…there I go. Until I stopped to try and catch Al going by below.

Approaching Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye. We had thought there might be something here, at least a water fountain, since the beers we enjoyed yesterday afternoon were from a craft brewery here. There was a brewery but nothing else as far as we saw from our bikes.

Once again, there was a headwind as we rode south, on a downhill grade that wasn’t steep enough to eliminate the need to pedal against the wind.

We arrived in Barcelonnette early for our hotel’s 3 p.m. check-in but in plenty of time to get lunch at a restaurant in Place Manuel.

Menu du jour, 16.90€. Savoury tarte of the day (zucchini and chèvre today), accompanied by choice of salad and either a glass of wine or a coffee. I chose wine, Al opted for a small beer and the coffee after.

Lunch was really good and we will be back at least once if not twice more (we have 2 full days here).

Dinner at a different restaurant was also good. We both had magret de canard and a glass of rosé. Une boule of ice cream for dessert. We should be fueled up for tomorrow.

Heart

Comment

Link

Today's ride: 51 km (32 miles)
Total: 994 km (617 miles)

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	4
Comment on this entry	Comment	0