So, got up at 8am this morning and headed off for an early start as it was a gorgeous day here.
Not much to report on the way up to Isola, as it's a road in a deep valley which I've done hundreds of times, so first photie of the day is where I stopped in Isola village for a cracking cafe creme with France's biggest croissant. Guy didn't mind me parking in amongst the tables either.
After leaving Isola, heading past Auron, this is looking down into St Etienne de Tinee
Heading up to the Bonette, there's a lot of snow melting, so waterfalls a plenty.
Very little traffic around apart from the early morning cyclists trying to beat the heat
Couldn't have picked a better day for it, as there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It had been really windy overnight too, so visbility was spectacularly good.
Still need to get the crap off my sensor though
Another biker coming down. You can see the old abandoned military houses near the top on the south side of the Col
Same auld hooses looking from above...
Hope you don't mind tons of photies, cos I've never seen it as clear as this, so went mental with the camera
Looking back down the Col southwards...
Couple of hundred metres up so time for another photo.
Getting near the top now, so all the vegetation disappears, leaving an almost lunar landscape. Still plenty Marmottes around though.
Couldn't get right to the top round the little loop, as they hadn't cleared the snow away.
And that's despite having some SERIOUS snow clearing machinery
Still an amazing amount of snow up there, but it is 2800m above sea level and this was on the north facing side.
And yes, it was as cold as it looks...
Considering it was 24C when I left, it was a fair drop when I got up there.
Had me Alaskan buttpad (well, the pillion one from the 1150 set) to keep me warm.
Just as spectacular on the descent to Jausiers. Crystal clear...
An action shot with two other vehicules on the road
An arty farty shot, stolen from someone else's idea on here.
Still quiet though and it was getting on for 11am on the clearest day in years.
No skateboarding, longboarding on roller-skating
So, got down to Jausiers, headed into Barcelonette, but still nothing on the roads to speak of.
So, turned off to the Col de Cayolle which is best ridden north to south
Still surprisingly quiet, must have seen no more than 4 bikes and half a dozen cars on the 24km climb to the Col
Love the Alps at this time of year with the wild flowers bloomin'
This is the start of the big long haul to the top...lots of Marmottes around, but not many people.
View south from the same spot...
In case you're getting bored with bike pics, one without the bike
The hills are alive...
Getting near the top so the trees thin out..
Another one bagged.
View south still as clear as a bell. The photos don't do it justice.
The hills in the far distance are a long, long way off...
This little lake is the source of the Var river. Nice stop for another coffee to perk me up again.
Further down the Col de la Cayolle where it starts to level out just before Entrauns
Photos don't give any real idea of the sheer scale of the mountains here. This was stunning.
The bridge in the Gorges du Daluis doesn't look too high either, but the river is a long, long way below. People bungee of this in the summer too...
Further down the gorges looking back up to the bridge
Cool old building on the D202 immediately after turning right
The little train which runs from Nice to Dignes. Keep meaning to have a go on this as the scenery all the route is stunning.
Another Col
Water in Lac du Castillon is always this amazing colour
Gotta get the bike in though
Castellane was minging with bikes as you would expect..
Saw this lot going down the river. Must be great fun. This is the same river which winds through the Gorges du Verdon
Unfortunately, someone's biking day didn't end so well. One of a group of bikes left the road and wrapped itself round a tree. Route Napoleon was closed for a while.
http://morrisons.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Trips/Col-de-la-Bonette-and-Cayolle/i-Q4W7sjd/0/XL/DSC0148-XL.jpg]
Napoleon on the Route Napoleon
[IMG]http://morrisons.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Trips/Col-de-la-Bonette-and-Cayolle/i-Dg4sBtz/0/XL/DSC0157-XL.jpg
Still clear-ish, but haze forming down towards the coast. This is the view of Mons from above.
This is around 10-15 minutes from the house. Good views to the coast.
Pointing the road home, that's all folks
Not much to report on the way up to Isola, as it's a road in a deep valley which I've done hundreds of times, so first photie of the day is where I stopped in Isola village for a cracking cafe creme with France's biggest croissant. Guy didn't mind me parking in amongst the tables either.
After leaving Isola, heading past Auron, this is looking down into St Etienne de Tinee
Heading up to the Bonette, there's a lot of snow melting, so waterfalls a plenty.
Very little traffic around apart from the early morning cyclists trying to beat the heat
Couldn't have picked a better day for it, as there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It had been really windy overnight too, so visbility was spectacularly good.
Still need to get the crap off my sensor though
Another biker coming down. You can see the old abandoned military houses near the top on the south side of the Col
Same auld hooses looking from above...
Hope you don't mind tons of photies, cos I've never seen it as clear as this, so went mental with the camera
Looking back down the Col southwards...
Couple of hundred metres up so time for another photo.
Getting near the top now, so all the vegetation disappears, leaving an almost lunar landscape. Still plenty Marmottes around though.
Couldn't get right to the top round the little loop, as they hadn't cleared the snow away.
And that's despite having some SERIOUS snow clearing machinery
Still an amazing amount of snow up there, but it is 2800m above sea level and this was on the north facing side.
And yes, it was as cold as it looks...
Considering it was 24C when I left, it was a fair drop when I got up there.
Had me Alaskan buttpad (well, the pillion one from the 1150 set) to keep me warm.
Just as spectacular on the descent to Jausiers. Crystal clear...
An action shot with two other vehicules on the road
An arty farty shot, stolen from someone else's idea on here.
Still quiet though and it was getting on for 11am on the clearest day in years.
No skateboarding, longboarding on roller-skating
So, got down to Jausiers, headed into Barcelonette, but still nothing on the roads to speak of.
So, turned off to the Col de Cayolle which is best ridden north to south
Still surprisingly quiet, must have seen no more than 4 bikes and half a dozen cars on the 24km climb to the Col
Love the Alps at this time of year with the wild flowers bloomin'
This is the start of the big long haul to the top...lots of Marmottes around, but not many people.
View south from the same spot...
In case you're getting bored with bike pics, one without the bike
The hills are alive...
Getting near the top so the trees thin out..
Another one bagged.
View south still as clear as a bell. The photos don't do it justice.
The hills in the far distance are a long, long way off...
This little lake is the source of the Var river. Nice stop for another coffee to perk me up again.
Further down the Col de la Cayolle where it starts to level out just before Entrauns
Photos don't give any real idea of the sheer scale of the mountains here. This was stunning.
The bridge in the Gorges du Daluis doesn't look too high either, but the river is a long, long way below. People bungee of this in the summer too...
Further down the gorges looking back up to the bridge
Cool old building on the D202 immediately after turning right
The little train which runs from Nice to Dignes. Keep meaning to have a go on this as the scenery all the route is stunning.
Another Col
Water in Lac du Castillon is always this amazing colour
Gotta get the bike in though
Castellane was minging with bikes as you would expect..
Saw this lot going down the river. Must be great fun. This is the same river which winds through the Gorges du Verdon
Unfortunately, someone's biking day didn't end so well. One of a group of bikes left the road and wrapped itself round a tree. Route Napoleon was closed for a while.
http://morrisons.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Trips/Col-de-la-Bonette-and-Cayolle/i-Q4W7sjd/0/XL/DSC0148-XL.jpg]
Napoleon on the Route Napoleon
[IMG]http://morrisons.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Trips/Col-de-la-Bonette-and-Cayolle/i-Dg4sBtz/0/XL/DSC0157-XL.jpg
Still clear-ish, but haze forming down towards the coast. This is the view of Mons from above.
This is around 10-15 minutes from the house. Good views to the coast.
Pointing the road home, that's all folks
Loved that pass, second only to the Grossglockner in my opinion 
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