Got the whole week off this time, but spending most of it with the family. However, they were happy to loaf around the house this afternoon, so thought I'd get the bike out and go to the highest point in the Var Var being the departement we live in), Mt de Lachens (1715 metres).
Headed west out of the village along the great wee road to Draguignan, before going up through Callas.
Continuing north (towards Verdon), the next village up is Bargemon, which is now best known for celebrity inhabitants like the Beckhams, and Brad Pitt/Jolie...
Doesn't stop it being a lovely wee village though.
Climbing up from Bargemon, the road goes up to the Col de Belle Homme. Lovely road which has a brand new smooth surface and superb views south to the sea.
In fact, this photo, you can see Cannes as the white blob on the coast above the front wheel. Looks better in reality
Once you get over the Col, the roads open up nicely and the traffic thins out..
Bobbly surface on this road doesn't phase the GS at all, and there are some superb swooping corners. This is the D25 which runs from Bargemon up to the route Napoleon.
Once you get off the main road, the smaller 'roads' aren't wide enough to get two GS's along, never mind a car
After you get through La Roque Escaplon, the road runs out, and it's a forest road all the way to the top.
Gets quite ruggedy in places.
View back down the track, you can see it tailing away into the distance
Starts to get a bit rockier and steeper once you get up here, but I'd made it up here in my old Mondeo estate full of family, so no problems for the ADV
Levels out again at the top, and the views back to the sea are gorgeous. Not clear enough today, but you can see Corsica from up here in the winter.
At the top of the pass, the view north opens out nicely, and you suddenly feel a chill wind, as you haven't got the mountains to shield you anymore
The buildings in the background are part of some old military thingy. All derelict now.
Road down on the north side leads to the Route Napoleon again, and there are some fairly scenic picnic stops on this road with good views.
Jumped back on the RN Napoleon at Logis du Pin, and headed down to Seranon (very scenic). Not much in the way of traffic, looking back down the road
No exactly jammed up in front either
There's a lovely little church in Seranon, on the Route Napoleon. Must note the name of it one of these days.
Really nice ridge walk along the top of this which I keep promising we'll do one of these days. When it's not too hot
Church in early evening sun
Then rolled down through Mons, and Fayence, until we get home, with the sun shining on the village.
I enjoyed it immensely...More later in the week no doubt
Headed west out of the village along the great wee road to Draguignan, before going up through Callas.
Continuing north (towards Verdon), the next village up is Bargemon, which is now best known for celebrity inhabitants like the Beckhams, and Brad Pitt/Jolie...
Doesn't stop it being a lovely wee village though.
Climbing up from Bargemon, the road goes up to the Col de Belle Homme. Lovely road which has a brand new smooth surface and superb views south to the sea.
In fact, this photo, you can see Cannes as the white blob on the coast above the front wheel. Looks better in reality
Once you get over the Col, the roads open up nicely and the traffic thins out..
Bobbly surface on this road doesn't phase the GS at all, and there are some superb swooping corners. This is the D25 which runs from Bargemon up to the route Napoleon.
Once you get off the main road, the smaller 'roads' aren't wide enough to get two GS's along, never mind a car
After you get through La Roque Escaplon, the road runs out, and it's a forest road all the way to the top.
Gets quite ruggedy in places.
View back down the track, you can see it tailing away into the distance
Starts to get a bit rockier and steeper once you get up here, but I'd made it up here in my old Mondeo estate full of family, so no problems for the ADV
Levels out again at the top, and the views back to the sea are gorgeous. Not clear enough today, but you can see Corsica from up here in the winter.
At the top of the pass, the view north opens out nicely, and you suddenly feel a chill wind, as you haven't got the mountains to shield you anymore
The buildings in the background are part of some old military thingy. All derelict now.
Road down on the north side leads to the Route Napoleon again, and there are some fairly scenic picnic stops on this road with good views.
Jumped back on the RN Napoleon at Logis du Pin, and headed down to Seranon (very scenic). Not much in the way of traffic, looking back down the road
No exactly jammed up in front either
There's a lovely little church in Seranon, on the Route Napoleon. Must note the name of it one of these days.
Really nice ridge walk along the top of this which I keep promising we'll do one of these days. When it's not too hot
Church in early evening sun
Then rolled down through Mons, and Fayence, until we get home, with the sun shining on the village.
I enjoyed it immensely...More later in the week no doubt
