Friday 22 July 05
We finally learn't our lesson and got up at 5.30am. We had another hard day of climbing and we wanted to get as much of the climbing dome before it got really hot and the tourists hit the road. Todays ride was full of breathtaking views and climbs. After about 15kms we came to the edge of the canyon - oh my god!! We stopped and had a bit of a look around. From there we headed tot he Ponte Artuby - the highest bridge in Europe - 180 m tall crossing the the gorge. From here the ride climbed towards the Tunnels du Fayet and our first coffee stop of the day. The tunnels are carved into the cliffface - but have windows giving awesome views out over the gorge.
After coffee we started our hardest climb of the day. After several stops to admire the scenery we were finally at the high point. From here we could see Lac du Sainte Croix to the east and up the gorge where we had come from to the west. We could also see Mont Ventoux for the first time.
After decending for 5km and dropping 400m in altitude we come to Alguinus where we stopped for lunch.
After lunch our decent continued, we dropped down to the lake. We decided to stop and have a swim to cool off. The water is the most amazing vivid aqua/green colour.
The road then climbed into Moustiers Sainte Marie and our final destination for today. After finding the campsite and setting up camp we ditched the bikes and went for a walk around town. Moustiers sainte Marie sits at the base of a huge ravine with a church perched high up on the cliff and a 1.5m gold star hangs on a wire chain between the 2 cliffs. We climbed upto the church then visited the natural spring before wondering back to the campsite for dinner and a well earnt rest.
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