Off we went at 8.30. Me with a clean box chocolate free. Hate to think what the cleaner will think when they see the towels I used to clean it. Will probably resemble the Monte Carlo Rally on a towel.
Into rush hour traffic in Martigues and in and out of the streets there. A few minor difficulties with the gps but fair play to Alan again for working through it and using the old I.T. trick of 'switching it off and switching it back on again' works every time.
I would come back here again... Martigues is such a beautiful place.
We climbed out of Martigues on another hot stifling day with very little wind and it wasn't long before we needed a water stop. We found a road side cafe who were delighted to offer us water while a watching rotweiller gave us the evils but couldn’t be arsed to chase us because of the heat.
We hit the coast again but thinking it was plain sailing along there then think again... more hills... more sweat dripping....
Popped around the outside of a tunnel and voila we were back at the side of the Med for a quick photo or two or three of a bridge.
We arrived in Marseille a couple of hours later via a climb of some 900 feet. It felt a bit more than that with it being the first real climb in 2 days. I was a wee bit concerned that it had gone unnoticed earlier in the day when we studied the paperwork with the others when it was compared with what was to follow.
Marseiĺlle was initially like a scene out of the French Connection with masses of concrete and spiralling roads above our heads. It looked industrial initially but as we got to the centre, it was clear that it has a lot to offer. We stopped for a quick coffee and drink refuel.
Again, Alan came to the rescue navigating us between the winding streets. A few people spoke to us whilst passing through. One was a chef from Stockbridge, another had done the same tour as ourselves from London last year.
I thought we had overshot MC and gone into Italy with the bus behind saying Rome... see pic below...
....but a quick check of the number plate confirmed we were still in France and I wasn't hallucinating.
They like to promote the bicycle here but not sure about the abundance of bike lanes though...
As soon as we were out of Marseille, the big climb of the day arrived at 32 miles. 1000 feet straight up and at a serious gradiant had us puffing. The wind in the back was nice but when you turned the corner and it was in your face it was quite pleasant too.
Various drops back to sea level, followed by big climbs kept us busy for some hours. Very tiring but broke up the day and the views over the Med were so worth it. Phil managed to get the speedo to record 60 kph today on one of the descents.
Into the last 5 miles and we stopped on the coast for a beer. Lovely Port of Sanary Sur Mer, lots of boats and a great photo opperchancity.
#LETMETAKEASELFIE
We got back on the bikes and finished the cycle heading in land to the outskirts of Toulon. Another Premier Inn means functional but limited in what they offer but thankfully the last type of this hotel on the journey.
Food was a 400 gm steak and chips. All good and ready for bed.
So 80 miles, 5 big climbs, 2 over 1000 feet, 35 degrees recorded and a top speed of 60 kmh. Everyone tired tonight after unexpected hills today but the beaches were lovely.
80 miler tomorrow, with an option if we fancy of taking in St Tropez as an extra. But unlikely to fit it in.
Partners all arrive in Nice tomorrow and head down to Monte Carlo. Looking forward to seeing them all.
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