May 24, 2025
Day 11: Grenoble - Pont-en-Royans
We are now back home and settled in - our days in France feel far away and I am having a hard time getting back to my journal. But I haven't abandoned it. So let's get back to May 24.
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Today we moved on to our final stop, Pont-en-Royans, where we were looking forward to some beautiful day rides in the Vercors. Janos and Rachael drove the distance while Susan, Scott and I cycled it. After some debate, we decided to ride the flatter route following the Isère instead of taking the more mountainous but also more scenic route. I was all for the river route myself. More on this is here in Susan's journal and in Scott's journal.
But first let's have a look at the video Janos made. He and Rachael took the scenic route!
The ride along the river was okay, but just okay. It was flat with not too many views due to the curtain of trees. This made it a bit monotonous and after 15 km I felt as if I had ridden 50. But the curtain did part here and there and I was on the ready with my camera.
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At about the halfway point I suggested we leave the river and ride the recommended bicycle route to Pont-en-Royans via Vinay. The change in the terrain from flat to hills was welcome. We really wanted to find an open patisserie or boulangerie for a noon snack. And we were successful. Getting there we passed through numerous, extensive walnut groves.
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Shortly before our destination there was a choice of two variations on our route. I chose the high road while Susan and Scott opted for the busier low road. I had a short steep bit, RWGPS says it was 13%, on the tiny road but there was no traffic. For me a good trade off. We were surprised to see that we arrived at exactly the same time when our two routes convened. Then as a magnificent panorama opened up before us, it was only a few pedal strokes to our hotel.
What started out as a not too inspiring ride turned out to be a fantastic day after all. You can't go wrong in this part of France and with such good cycling companions. And there was still more to come.
At dinner we met two more CycleBlazers, Jacquie and Al, who were coming though Pont-en-Rayons on their journey through France. They have some very inspiring rides under their belts in their journal Les Grandes Alpes. It was great meeting them.
Today's ride: 65 km (40 miles)
Total: 236 km (147 miles)
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4 weeks ago