Together with our wives, Simon and I flew to Nice on Friday with our bikes neatly fitted in their bike boxes. We arrived at our hotel in Antibes, The Beau-Site while it was pouring rain although this soon gave way to warm sunshine.
After a superb meal on the Friday evening at a great waterside restaurant, Le Cesar, we agreed to depart the following morning at 8am. Through Twitter we had picked up that none other than Lance Armstrong was staying locally and training in the same area. We resolved to get a photo with us and him together if we could.
Our planned route headed out of Antibes and finally made its way into the hills climbing up to the town of Vence and the over the Col de Vence (985m) before descending to Greolieres. After this there was another slog uphill to Greolieres Les-Neige at over 1400m. At this point and after a long stretch at a gradient of over 12% we both agreed the climbing for the day was over. We quickly turned around as dark rain clouds threatened to make it a tricky descent on wet roads.
The ride back to Greolieres was at speeds u
p to 46mph as we out ran the rain shower. A quick drink stop was taken before a more lengthy descent down the eastern side of a spectacular gorge. We eventually made our way into the outskirts of Antibes after approximately 30 miles downhill!
p to 46mph as we out ran the rain shower. A quick drink stop was taken before a more lengthy descent down the eastern side of a spectacular gorge. We eventually made our way into the outskirts of Antibes after approximately 30 miles downhill! The final climb to the hotel in Cap de Antibes hurt, but it was two happy cyclists who soon rolled up alongside our sunbathing wives. We 
had completed 85 miles at an average pace of 12.5 mph. The total ascent was 2100m.
had completed 85 miles at an average pace of 12.5 mph. The total ascent was 2100m. Saturday night saw us enjoy another very pleasant meal on the beach at Juan des Pines. This was followed by a deep sleep!
On Sunday we headed out of Antibes again, to the spectacular town of Grasse via Valbonne. A navigational error led to a small diversion to the village of Cabris but we were soon back on track at Saint Vallier de Thiey and climbed to the Col du Ferrier (1039m). There were lots of large groups of cyclists out, all immaculately dressed in their team kit as only the French can do!
After the Col, our legs were tired but we still managed an even steeper climb up to the Observatoire de la Cote D'Azur at 1265m. After this it was a fantastic descent first to Gourdon and then on to Valbonne again at very high speeds, breaking the record of previous day at 47mph. The speed limit was 30 mph!
After Valbonne, tired legs still allowed some fast riding, almost like a road race - 21mph uphill at one point! The ride had been shorter at only 65 miles but at an higher average speed of 13.4 mph and 1735m of climbing.
All in all, a great trip. My assessment of the benefit of our exploits sitting by the pool afterwards was that "The Etape won't be easy and the climbs will have to be ground out at our own pace, but baring injury, crashes and punctures should be within our capabilities" We'll see!
As for Lance, he was out training in the area and seen on the Col de Madone, but nowhere near us!
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