France, 1999 

Our pictures from the CTC Spain to Italy Tour ( August-September, 1999), led by Ken and Jane Wilkie. 


Airport bound
All packed and waiting for the airport shuttle. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 8/24/99
Into Spain (day 1)
We started in France and rode a few miles back into Spain before resuming our journey eastward. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 8/29/99
Axat (day 1)
Pretty bridge at Axat, where we had a snack stop. On the Aude.  
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/28/99
Col De St Louis descent (day 2)
Brian Barrett pondering the corkscrew below. A total loop of 540 degrees. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 8/30/99
On the Col de St Louis
Bob Waddilove, descending after the corkscrew. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/28/99
Gorge du Galumus
Pretty gorge. There is a cave dwelling in the cliff face below, not visible in this picture. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/28/99
Gorge du Galumus
After climbing down the cliff and through a tunnel, we arrive at the grotto-shrine. Note the virgin looking at herself in the mirror. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 8/31/99
Gorge du Galumus
Looking back into the gorge from above. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 8/31/99
Wood carvings, Puicheric (day 3)
At a lock on the Midi Canal (River Aude), we found this wonderful garden of wooden statues. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/1/99
Wood carvings, Puicheric
At a lock on the Midi Canal (River Aude), we found this wonderful garden of wooden statues. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/1/99
Ambialet
From near the church, with town and river below. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/2/99
Ambialet, France
Arial view of the isthmus at Ambialet. The church we visited is visible on the hill in the background. 
 
 Photographed by: Web
 Photograph taken on: 9/29/99
Kleber and his garden
Day 5, at the Azams', Montans 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/2/99
Montans
With the Azams, in their front yard 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/2/99
Cordes
15th century hilltop town.  
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/2/99
Cordes
One of the streets. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/2/99
Cordes
Heading back down again. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/2/99
Albi, sunken garden
Garden behind the museum in Albi. This is all done with colored foilage. There are no 'flowers'. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/2/99
le Rozier'
Lovely restaurantat the junction of rivers Tarn and Jonte. Rosemary is peering back from under the foliage. Stayed downriver a few miles in Riviere sur Tarn, but next time we would stay here. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/3/99
Chambres on the Gorges de la Jonte
Hotel guests put their baggage in the trolley, for transport across the river. I guess the guests have to swim. (Day 7) 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/4/99
Valleraugue
Lovely village beneath Mont Aigoual. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/4/99
Valleraugue
Locals playing bocci ball. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/4/99
Valleraugue
From above the village, on the lower part of the "4000 steps" footpath to Mont Aigoual. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/4/99
Climbing to the Corniche des Cevennes
Day 8. Our longest day's ride: 90 miles and 5700 feet. Rained on us later.  
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/5/99
Ruoms
Wonderful small town on the Ardeche above the gorge. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/6/99
Pont d' Arche
At the beginning of the Gorge de l'Ardeche. Lots of kayaks on the river through the gorge. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/6/99
Gorge de l'Ardeche
The road is along the canyon rim for about 30 km. (And it ain't flat!) 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/6/99
Plundering
Snitched an apple from the plentiful orchards along the Rhone near Pont-St. Esprit.  
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/6/99
Orange
Gateway to the town of Orange, with authentic Roman arch. Supposedly the Arc d' Triomphe in Paris is modeled after it. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/6/99
Orange
The Roman collesium, which is still used. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/7/99
Orange
The Roman collesium, which is still used. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/7/99
Gorges de la Nesque (day 10)
This was a beautiful alternative to the Mont Ventoux option. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/7/99
Gorges de la Nesque (day 10)
Looking back along the gorge. Note the road as a thin band threading back on the right. We missed the adventure with the tour bus that had to turn around on the narrow road. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/7/99
Aurel
Relaxing at the end of the day. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/7/99
Tea stop, day 11
 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/8/99
Leader Ken, ready for the peleton
According to Ken, the pros in France still prefer the 'hairnet' style crash helmets. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/8/99
Attention getters on the Meouge
Oh damn. Not enough resolution! 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/8/99
Sisteron
Nice bunch of shops here. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/8/99
Sisteron
Looking across the river Durance from the town. Note rock climbers in the gap. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/8/99
Sisteron
Looking up at the Citadel overlooking the town.  
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/8/99
Clues de Barles
On the river Bes, as we enter the Maritime Alps region. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/9/99
Lac de Serre-Poncon
We all stopped halfway down a steep descent to the river Ubaye to take in the view. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/10/99
Col d' Larche
And on day 14 into Italy, although briefly. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/11/99
Col d' Larche
Tim Moss inspecting the monument to very famous cyclist Fausto Coppi. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/11/99
Above St Entienne
On our final day, we hike instead. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/12/99
Discovery!
Rosemary picks the hazelnuts, .. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/12/99
Improvising
and Mark breaks them open. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/13/99
Shepherd's cabin
High above St Entienne, we find this cabin still used it seems. 
 
 Photographed by: Mark & Rosemary Alguard
 Photograph taken on: 9/12/99


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This page last updated on 9/30/99 7:01:22 PM.