Mount Saint Victoire

Following lunch near the fountain in Aix de Provence, ten of us (Connie had a rest day) rode mountain bikes from the bike store in Aix, our of the city, along a bubbling stream and past Cezanne’s windmill and on up the mountain.

In a sparsely populated part of the ride we enjoyed children in brightly colored clothes playing soccer, small olive grove and lovely flowers and green trees and bushes.  Once reaching the base of the big mountain, we rode on an unused forest road.  It was dirt with big and small rocks but we were well-prepared by our thick-tired electric bikes.

These bikes are amazing–the gears are all on the right side and are just one number (1-9) and on the left side is a small box that shows your speed.  If you push + the bike increases your effort by about 10%, + again by 25%, + again by 35% and the final + by 50%. The final + is for the big hills of which there are many when climbing a mountain.  Four – returns the bike to normal unassisted operation.

Our reward was this beautiful view of Mount Saint Victoire–painted by Cezanne at least 60 times. We talked with our guide about the four different hiking routes, each increasing in difficulty; and about hang gliding from the top.  I was happy seeing the mountain from our vantage point on the forest road.

Connie prepared dinner for us while we rode–duck confit that had been purchased in the market from a man who cans it himself, red rice from the Camargue, that special cauliflower that looks like a combination of cauliflower, broccoli and asparagus, asparagus with bernaise sauce and assorted ice creams with meringue for dessert.  It was great for all of us hungry bikers!

What a great day!