Mountain bike around Sospel.
Mountain bike is bigger than ever on the Cote d'Azur.
Races are organized almost every Sunday.
My friend the Commander is doing the next one
and he offers us (the Cap and I) to test the trail
before the race.
We meet in Sospel (20 km north of Menton) at 3:30 pm.
The trail is divided in two parts.
The first one is a flat and fast loop.
It leaves from the school and takes us through the fields
for a little more than 2 miles around the village.
The second part also starts in front of the school
and takes a different route.
It follows the GR 52 (GRs are paths through the country)
that is well suited for goats and dogs
but not for bikes or at least not for me on a bike...
I end up either carrying or pushing my bike
most of the uphill part.
A refreshing trip through the forest follows.
It is still very demanding and I am not enjoying myself
as much as I usually do.
A large part of the downhill goes on natural and man-made steps.
My arms hurt so much that I barely have enough strength
to fold my bike into the car.
Then I rush to St Tropez (not by bike)
where I am invited for the week end.
