Today we got started early .. 8:30 ... because we figured it might be a long day to Buis Les B.! Last night's stay in this small town (Beaufort sur Garvanne) was very nice .. excellent dinner and the gentleman running the hotel was very nice man!
Our day started downhill and it was a bit chilly but after 12km we started to climb on a quiet road through the forest du Saou. We hit 10 and 12% grades as we entered the pas de lauzens which was a slit in the rock. Very interesting .. Then climbing a bit more to the col de pas du lauzens at 504m and then down into the pretty town of Saou.
Second col was called Sausse at 791m and then down a gorge called Gorge de Trente Pas .. which we took to mean "30 passes" as we wound our way through rock cliffs and arches. We did not count the passes ...
We had a nice lunch in St. Ferreol de Trente Pas at a picnic table in a park teaming with cats .. and a few cyclists on a tour out of Dieulefit.
The last col of the day was out of St. Jalle with a consistent easy 6% grade but in the warm afternoon sun .. all the way to the col d'Ey at 750m.
Great views of the valley below of Jalle before we hung a sharp right down into the next valley descending rapidly to Buis Les Baronnies. This is a tourist town with interesting old village and Marion made sure we had a Chambre Comfortable in the hotel in the old village.
88km 1200m ascent
Tomorrow we have a short ride to Sault where we have a apt. rented for 5 days.
