A Lazy Ride to La Sône

May 27, 2025

This morning we all gathered at the hotel breakfast room to see what new items had disappeared from the buffet today – first it was the plain yogurt and yesterday it was the muesli. One thing was certain, Jacquie and Al would not be here tomorrow as they would leave today and continue onward into the high Alps.

I really enjoyed getting to know the two of them. I’d gleaned a bit about Jacquie from reading her journals and she proved to be the detailed, analytical woman I’d imagined. And so much more. Both she and Al have a warm and generous spirit and we learned over the course of our days together that our common interests extend beyond cycling. I look forward to another meet-up somewhere down the road.

Scott checks in on Jacquie and Al as they make final preparations to depart

The remaining group of five had varied plans for the day. Suzanne and Janos were taking a drive up Gorges de la Bourne, Rachael was hiking, and Scott and I were biking. He’d suggested a route similar to one that he and Rachael had done during their visit here in 2022, a 33-mile ride across the Isère and up to Col de Madeline. We set out a bit before 11 and as we climbed out of Pont-en-Royans all I could think about was my tired legs and the fact that I would repeat this stretch tomorrow with my panniers! It had been so nice riding unloaded these past two weeks – THANK YOU JANOS AND SUZANNE!!

After cresting the hill out of Pont-en-Royans, both Scott and I were feeling less enthusiastic about Col de Madeline and decided we would amble down to the river and see how we felt. We passed through rows walnut trees, fields of asparagus, and a community pétanque tournament before crossing the Isère into La Sône, spending several minutes on the bridge contemplating life and snapping photos.

There were a couple of fruitless attempts to explore the Château de La Sône and the Église Saint Pierre when Scott realized his phone was dying, leaving him without a camera or communication. I had a charger but not the right connection for his phone so we opted for snack break at the corner café by the river. Scott was all set to savor his two scoops of ice cream until my walnut torte arrived. The ice cream was cancelled and we both enjoyed another Vercors torte with our favorite beverage du moment – espresso for me and Schweppes Agrumes for Scott.

Scott and Rachael check to make sure all the planned routes are loaded in the Garmins

Interesting decoration on what seems to be a bird house. Can't quite figure out how the Sydney Opera House fits in with the motif in the foreground

Bells and another inanimate bird for my collection - even though I already have a rooster or two

Rows of asparagus backed by walnut trees and mountains

A look up river, with the glazed tile roof of Château de La Sône visible on the left

Laurence and Anne-Lise, who cheerfully helped re-direct me after I mistakenly cycled into a private courtyard. They were like my personal Tourist Info center, sharing lots of recommendations and handouts about La Sône and local attractions. Maybe next time

Thoughts of continuing on to Col de Madeline evaporated during the break – Scott had no working phone and I was happy to have an easy day. The return route to Pont-en-Royans had the same flavor as our way out – walnut trees and rows of spring vegetables – with the added benefit of the Vecors Massif beckoning us onward. Three days at the base of these mountains seems too short and it is easy to appreciate why this is such a special place for TA and other cyclists. There are miles of cycling here that I’ve yet to explore and I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself back here in the not too distant future.

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Scott and Rachael’s second suitcase had arrived by the time we got back to the hotel and Scott spent the afternoon packing up Rachael’s bike. We lingered over the dinner, sitting on the terrace as the light began to fade. It was the final dinner for this CB rendezvous and although things didn’t work out exactly as we’d imagined in the planning, it was very special to share the highs, lows and small moments of the past couple of weeks. I am such a lucky gal!

Today's ride: 14 miles (23 km)
Total: 666 miles (1,072 km)

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Scott AndersonAnd we're lucky to have you as such an important figure in our story, Susan. Looking forward to the next meetup, hopefully soon.
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