A satisfying ride round the Grand Canyon of the Verdon - it's the largest gorge in Europe. Lots of opportunities for sporty riding especially on the south rim road. On the north rim, the Route des Crêtes demands to be taken with care. Interesting to stop at the Balcon de la Mescla to look down at the Sentier Blanc-Martel along the river bank, that I hiked the previous day: hiking and biking are different sports and experiences; here, the more obvious pleasure is in riding the road.

Skirting the northern flank of the Esterel massif is the old N7 trunk road that used to be the main route for the 38km (23 miles) from Fréjus to Cannes. Now designated DN7, the road is well made and graded, reliably wide and the curves are usefully banked. Heavy traffic is discouraged leaving sports bikes, sports cars and white vans to enjoy the ride and views. The residences (ie swanky villas) in the hills around are what you might expect up the road from Cannes: private pools of course, plus tennis courts and outdoor entertainment areas.

Read more: L'Esterel

Two Roman amphitheatres and a Roman aqueduct in a ride out from Marseille on my bike. Ideal motorbiking weather: a cool and hazy dawn which developed to warm sunshine. Tyres, bike and rider all run better in the warmth, 24°C by the end of the afternoon with just a light wind.

Read more: Two amphitheatres and an aqueduct

Riding with friends under blue skies on Le Mont Sainte Baume in Provence within sight of the snow on the Alps. I warmed up on the rubber-stained hairpins of the Col de l'Espigoulier (723 m.), my bike is running brilliantly following its routine service. We stopped for lunch and a break from the glacial wind at Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume, enjoying Salade aux Foies (me) or Pizza Royale (Denis) next to an open fire burning fragrant logs. We continued together to Méounes-lès-Montrieux, from where we split after a coffee in the bar in the centre of the village.
One of those days riding sports bikes among friends that it is easy to wish you could do all day, every day. But remember Faust and Mephistopheles...