France Spain (Pyrenees)

2 – 3 Jun 2025

Cassis – Sisteron

This is the penultimate epistle from the sous blogger. So here we go.

Cassis rest day and the Foxes spread out in the morning. Boxy took himself off to the hospital to get an assessment on his bruised leg, Hydro took the opportunity to recharge body and soul, and Mike and Russ did a 10km hike to the calanques (literally rocky inlet)

Regrouped for lunch in Cassis. Boxy was satisfied with his consultation with the head surgeon who determined he had been unlucky to sustain the extent of bruising he had. Gave some advice and a parcel of drugs and called him an uber. We are sure there will be a donation to the hospital.

We all then went on Calanque Boat tour and took the necessary album shot photos.

Back up to our digs in the hills and ordered uber eats because we didn’t want a lift back from the town in a van again.

Next day rode out early, it’s a long one, out to Cap Canaile with a fantastic view of cassis and then through the sweeping vineyards of southern Provence. We checked the progress of the Ian Box wing of La Ciotat Hospital on the way. A right turn and then straight up to Verdon Valley. We had been here before but not this loop. Had lunch where we ate 6 years before and had another failed attempt to ride through Moustiers. Busy and hilly!

It is a thing to give a salute to any other bikers on the road (not applicable at home as it would be the throttle hand). So as some French Biker comes howling down a mountain pass on a lean and on the centre line, the salute appears. The foxes have a hard enough time getting the lean and turn right let alone taking your hand off the bike to complete this ritual….so we now abstain.

Another loop around the gorge and then onto Sisteron via another pass. It was hot and humid and we were tired. Boxy had already arrived, taking the shorter route today, and as it Mikes birthday we hit the town to celebrate…….hard!