Chris took a rest day today so I offered to lead the group to Mont Bouquet. Nick suggested escending the western side of the hill for a change. So a route was created taking in this and Lussan on the return.

We left at 7.30am from the Boulangerie to ensure we were climbing Bouquet before the heat of the day got too much. The ride out was pleasant in the early morning and included a lovely long gentle descent on the D6 to near the foot of the climb.

The climbing started immediately as we turned off the main road with a 15% ramp and this was a taste of what was to come. A slow grind (for some of us) for 5km to the summit with regular ramps of >15%. When a 10% section feels like a respite you know it's a tough climb!! The surface was beautifully smooth thanks to the Tour de France who came this way recently.

Eventually we all got to the top to marvel at the magnificent vista and as we rested some paragliders turned up so we waitied to see the first few launch.

The descent was quick, marred somewhat by some younger riders rather recklessly overtaking on both sides and we headed to Fons-sur-Lussan for our planned coffee stop. Just as we entered the village Pete suffered a catastrophic puncture but as we thought we were so close to the café we headed there, Nick then went back to lead Pete to the location but he had disappeared into the maze of tiny lanes. Eventually we established contact and we were together again at the café. Sorry Pete for the confusion!!

We decided to wait for midday and lunchtime and enjoyed a very nice meal before heading out into the afternoon heat. We climbed up to Lussan and did a circuit of the medieval village and then headed back to Uzes stopping at St Quentin for ice creams. A few km later we were enjoying a drink in the bar.

A very enjoyable ride