That's the last day of this trip and one of the hardest. Not because I'm tired but because the app I use sent me to a place where no cyclist would wish to go. It was really steep, up and down and full of rocks. I pushed the bike and regreted not to be on the main road instead of this silly goat path.
6:35 am. Wow, that was my best night so far. I guess I’m almost used to sleeping outside but that’s my last night 😅.
Which sign is going to help ?
Back on the road, so far it’s going down hill and that’s very nice.
Olive trees are all over the place.
I arrived in Salernes already.
This morning I’m following an old train track from where we see the main road.
That cycle path is brand new! Nice.
I arrived in Lorgues, the village where I studied in High School. Problem is, I got a puncture since a little while and I must find a way to fix it. I’ve stopped once already to dismount my wheel but realised that I’m missing one tool… So right now I’m stuck, and we are Saturday so most shops are closed. That’s bad luck…
I’ve found a bakery so first, let’s have some food and deal with that tire issue later.
Breakfast time
I’ve asked the owner of the bakery if she knew any car garage opened today. She pointed to a corner shop nearby where I might find the tool I need. I was more thinking of borrowing a tool rather than buy it but well, that’s a solution too.
The shop was few seconds away and first I asked for a flat wrench of 12. Unfortunately there was no any. The owner started to go all over her shop to help find what I needed. After trying various tools, I realised that the size I was asking for was wrong, I needed 16, not 12. This time she had the right size and even let me borrow it. Thank you!
So now, let’s fix that annoying tiny hole.
Yes, it’s so tiny but I would have to pump up the tire every kilometre to keep going. It would take days to finish my trip lol.
Fixing the hole
I did it :-) During 10 days straight I had no problems with the bike. Comes the last day and… puncture! Arf! Anyway, I bought myself a multi-fruits juice to celebrate 😅.
Lorgues is a cute little village. I only remember that main street.
I’m not there yet! Why using Fréjus on this road’s name.
Downhill on a bumpy road
Since I’ve seen that “Chemin de Fréjus” sign, I went downhill but, the road became more and more chaotic. I was thinking, “well, let’s see where I end up but I don’t like this.” Right now, that path is the GPS recommended way. No way I’m going there. But also, I went down for a while and don’t want to ride that bad road back up. I’m kind of stuck.
I’ve decided to improvise and use the shortest road that reaches the main road. Once I go down there I’ll, for sure, have to push the bike uphill. Oooh… I hate this already…
Oh really?!!! Another hill?!!
This is so steep to the point I have to hold the seat with one hand and the handle bar with the other to be able to push the bike.
That’s behind me. Going down hill, I mean, I walked down because I would have explode the tires if I was riding the bike, was so slippery, especially because I’m wearing flip flops. Why the app has chose that road, then path, then let me in the middle of no where???!!! I hate it!!!
This is what I am dealing with. I’m using a city bike with thin, sleek road tires on a terrain like that… I thought that last day was going to be easy and short and now I’m exhausted and sweaty!…
Awful track
I’ve finally reached Les Arcs… Wow! That track was such a bad experience. Anyway, I’ve found a cemetery so I’m refilling my water.
Some time later
The cemetery was not the best spot to have a break so I kept going for a little longer until this park.
longer break + nap
Okay, I fill better. Let’s keep on moving.
Aïe aïe aïe… This part of France do not like taking care of cyclists or what?
I arrived in Le Muy and there is still no cycle lane anywhere.
This is Le Rocher de Roquebrune. I can see it from where I’ll stop today.
Now I’m following the highway. The road is great but the sound…
Again, no way to escape the main roads. That’s maybe because, since the app sent me to dreadful area where no cyclist should go I switched the settings from “traditionnal bike” to “cargo bike” expecting the app to taking into account that I am carrying stuff so, no big hills and no rocks please. But now, I’m on the road most of the time.
This is a side little road but it’s been patched a thousand times or what!? Bumpy!
And that bumpy road ends up right on the national one… Aïe aïe aïe…
Finally, there was a way to escape the traffic, at least for now.
I’ve reached Puget-sur-Argens, which is the last town before Fréjus. I’m almost there but… I need food.
Not the most healthy I know but I’m cycling so I’m allowed to eat whatever I want 😁. You didn’t know that? Well, start cycling then!
Snack time
Back on the road. I’m now on a road that I know. We used to call it, the donkey ‘s road. I guess there must be some donkeys somewhere 😅.
Hello? where are the cycling paths around here?
What is going on?
The Reyran, I used to drive my car on the slopes for fun 😏 with friends but today, I don’t think cars are allowed to cross it anymore.
Overtaking all the traffic jam!
There was actually a fireman or ambulance truck stuck on a round about. The police was managing the situation and drivers certainly slowed down to see what was going on. That is why that queue was so long. All in all, I missed the “Fréjus” city sign which is situated right after the bridge above the Reyran. I was so happy to overtake everyone haha. Sorry Noé!
I’ve reached my final destination!
Roughly 900 km and 11 days of ass pain to reach the South of France on my own power 😅.
I don’t know why I made that face. I wanted to act like I’m tired but well, whatever lol.
And to celebreate this, I bough some chips, some Orangina and Prince cookies!
My bike is clean and light as new! See ya for the next adventure 😎.
2 responses to “Sillans-la-Cascade > Fréjus”
11 jours de galère ?? Tu avais pourtant l’air d’apprécier de reprendre l’aventure 🤔. À part, le dernier jour, évidemment. Félicitations Damien, et tu as 3 mois pour te préparer psychologiquement à voyager d’est en ouest 😉😘😘
Le voyage d’est en ouest sera galère jusqu’à L’Occitanie. Juste faut éviter Marseille, c’est le No Cyclist Land haha ! Après il y a plein de vélo routes ^^