Trail bike
I own and ride a Marin Palisades Lite 1992 in Marseille and a 2022 Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29 in Keswick.
Fountains working again in Marseille Place Castellane with the tram line installation nearing completion on the far side. Onwards to the beach for fun on gravel and sand on my classic Marin Palisades Lite.
Out for a late afternoon play ride on the mountain bike after a busy day in Keswick. First the slog up to Latrigg Saddle (300 m.) from Applethwaite then down the ever-changing trail through Brundholme Woods. Fab spring weather still, great to feel the breeze under the arms again after covering up all winter. Tracks quiet but the flyboys were out aloft. Spring sunshine and blue sky all round.
More photos: Late afternoon play: Latrigg and Brundholme - Lake District National Park
Apricale, Liguria
Cannondale Scalpel MTB
Cycling unchallenged over the frontier from France to Italy, along with hordes riding road race bikes; firstly an unavoidable 557 m. road tunnel but then charming Alta Ventimiglia on the Rivièra dei Fiori (Riviera of Flowers) of Liguria.
The infamous roundabout at Ventimiglia straddling the delta of the River Roia is no easier to negotiate on a mountain bike than anything else, but the view of the snow on the Alpi Maritimi around Tende was a visual thrill in compensation.
Up the next valley, of the River Nervia, where the main crop is the famous Ligurian olive oil; on to Camporosso and then Dolceacqua, many roadside trees with ripe oranges on the branches.
Crossing the river at Isolabona and riding a moderate climb up to my destination, the hilltop village Apricale. That was a quiet country road with flowers and birds and the torrente Merdanzo flowing in the valley below.
More photos: Apricale, Liguria (I) by mountain bike from Menton (F)
Ride out from Keswick to Portinscale, where the hikers take the path for Cat Bells (451 m.). Bit of fun in Brandlehow Woods: relatively dry but enough muddy leaves, rocky fords plus a couple of extended technical downhill sections good enough to climb back up and ride again. Crossing the River Derwent at the footbridge opposite the Lodore Falls.
More photos: Derwent Water, the muddy way round - Lake District National Park
2200 m.
Le Maïdo overlook (2205 m.) to the Mafate crater, Cilaos and Salazie beyond.
An intense mountain bike ride from the volcano crater overlook at Le Maïdo (2205 m.) down to the beach on the Indian Ocean at Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Massive altitude drop over about 32 km of off-road trails, with some technical cuts through tropical jungle.
More photos: Volcano to ocean: MTB descent from Le Maïdo (2205 m) - Île de la Réunion
