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As forecast, the high slopes around the valley were covered with snow and during the morning more snow would fall below the 1000 metres barrier. The decision to cancel the ride was made yesterday so everyone was relaxed at breakfast. Todays' ride would have been the most difficult of them all, with nearly 2500 heightmeters. It would also have been one of the most beautiful. A lot of preparation has gone into this ride and it is a pity we were not able to actually ride it. But in the mountains, the weather is primordially important and even though we all wanted to ride, plain common sense dictated otherwise. This was the sight we woke up with in the Novotel at Voreppe:
 
We prepared ourselves for a long journey in the car. We had 3 vehicles at our disposal to transport 13 bikes , all our luggage and 13 people. The group was very well atuned by now and we made the best of it, before, during and after the car trip.
   
Around 1000 metres of altitude we encountered the snow as predicted. The ride today would not have been possible on a bike. Good decision to cancel it.
 
We stopped along the way for a bite to eat and some light entertainment on the "flipperkast"
Serious World Cup affair it turned out to be. A rematch is already planned !
Arriving in our hotel in La Motte - Chalancon, some of the bikers decided they did not want to waste precious time and the opportunity to ride a few cols and plans were made for a 65 to 75 K ride , looping back to La Motte . This is the ride that is in the Endomondo link below. It is not what was initially planned but just a replacement ride that turned out to be a great adventure with 4 cols and some dizzying descents. The ride started with a long descent towards Remuzat and past Sahune. We took the road to Eyrolles and started climbing almost immediately. Down into Sainte-Ferreol Trente pas where another clim started. 7.5K up to the Col de Sausse. The wind blew in our faces and we did not stay long to enjoy the view on top of the col. Down again along a fast and sinuous road to reach Bouvieres. Here another turn to the rigth and we were climbing again, this time to the Col de Lescou. Each col being higher than the one before, this time we reached 820metres . The group split up into two subgroups. Johan and Jan were doing another 10K while Matthieu, Joris and myself began to a short downhill before attacking the next - and last - col for today. The Col de Pre Guittard was waiting for us at 919 metres. From here a long and beautiful downhill brought us along a ravine back to the route towards La Motte-Chalancon . Here are some pictures taken during the loop.
     
Arriving back at the hotel with a very satisfied feeling and ready for the last part of the trip that would bring us to Bedoin and the foot of our ultimate challenge, the Mont Ventoux ! We bedded in the Hotel des Voyageurs, in the Grande Rue. A hotel I would like to warmly recommend to each . It is very well situated, with a very friendly but determined hostess and a cute dog.
Endomondo
Ride Stats : 63K and 1085 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h47mins
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