This year I am moving around a bit again. It’s not my favourite thing to do, I’d much rather have one home, but beggars can’t be choosers. And I am fortunate to have many friends willing to let me house-sit while here.
For the past two weeks, I have been back in one of my favourite spots to hang out, Mollans-sur-Ouvèze. This charming village is just on the north side of Mont Ventoux in the Drôme department. And I love the Drôme. It is such a beautiful part of the country, quieter, less touristy, fewer cars, and endless routes and cols for cycling. It is a bit further to certain places, but I’ve found when I am here, I don’t really want to go anywhere else. I just want to stay where I am and launch all my rides right from my doorstep. It’s delightful.
It is surprising how remote some of the routes here feel, and even on popular loops you sometimes find yourself quite alone, so I usually save my longer rides for when Jason is here. This week, on a beautiful +35 day I decided to push myself to do a rather long course with lots of elevation alone. I had most of the route to myself with only a few cyclists passing in the opposite direction. It wasn’t until I was 25km from returning it started to get busy. For July in France, I was somewhat perplexed. Perhaps everyone is planning to go to Paris for the Olympics rather than travel to the south of France. I am fine with that; it means more peace for the rest of us.
Only a few more days before I return to Malaucène, which I also enjoy immensely. So I’ll continue to take advantage of all the delightful benefits I have here until then and be grateful for every moment I get.
