After the 50+ MPH winds the Ventoux took a rest making way for torrential overnight rains. We decided to head south with the wind at our backs and take a leisurely jaunt along the cycleway (aka old rail bed). For a change of pace we headed off the main road along this paved detour. Not a great idea since the accumulated rainfall made for some mucky going.
There was enough pavement along the edge to avoid wading but not without some muddy sections. The man walking along was not following us but we managed to pass each other several times when we stopped to shed clothing as the temperatures rose.
While I straddled my bike (could not find a spot to dismount) she decided to walk along with her wheels in the water so her feet could stay dry. We shoes does not make for a pleasant ride.
Once we joined the bike path we had so decide to head toward Orange or Carpentras. A gent was able to explain that the path was paved in both directions but we opted to head toward Carpentras.
We ducked off the path for a few kilometers to a town center to find a coffee spot. Fortunately Kim snagged the goodies back in the "V" town so two coffees later we were on our way back to the path to continue raking up the miles. Hoping to cover 30+ miles today we kept going toward Orange before the required turnaround point based on our quick calculation.
Amazing how dry creek beds come alive after a night of intense rain.
The route back was north and heading straight into the winds. Fortunately the climbs were minimal so severe exhaustion did not set in. We passed this sign where "Les Cabanons" provided housing for the migrant farm workers in a time long forgotten.
With our riding day behind us we decided to make a quick trip to the market to get all the food we will tie us over until we leave Provence next Tuesday. Fortunately this market has a wonderful bakery department where Kim could not resist these delicacies. Sufficient counterpoint to the dinner basics needed to get us through.
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