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Palud-s-Verdon to Bedoin
Distance : 230 km
Following stage six which finished in the icy cold rain and my body was completely worn out, today was a slightly less taxing, though by no measure easy stage. Starting from Palud-s-Verdon the route wended its way over 230km eventually bringing us to our hotel in the shadow of Mont Ventoux.
Starting out by following the road beside the spectacular Gorges du Verdon, which we first laid eyes on the previous day, the road twisted and curved along the gaping gorge, offering eye opening views. While the early kilometres rattled off fairly easily, what lay ahead would test legs, hearts and lungs to the limits: la Lure.
This hefty 900m climb afforded us the first views of the Ventoux from its summit but we didn’t hang around to take in the views, impressive as they were. Some superfast descending and some roller coaster roads later and an impressive 70kph+ descent later, and we rolled along a flat road right up to the base of the Giant of Provence. A sobering and daunting first look at the mountain we would attempt to ascend the following day.
