Riding in North East France
The eastern side of France offers a diverse landscape, with open countryside giving way to rolling hills and mountains
HEAD DOWN AND eyes flicking from apex to exit and on up the road, I threw the Tiger Explorer into another hairpin, chasing the vanishing point – and a local rider – up the Col du Ballon. As it came upright, I wiped rain from my visor. Such a shame; last time we were here, it was beautiful. That’s the thing with mountains; the weather’s changeable. On this trip, we got the rainy day. When we were here in 2013 for the first Guide to France, we had brilliant sunshine. Indeed, I’ve ridden in the Vosges a lot over the years and this is only the third time I’ve been caught in the rain. It really is a shame.
Not just because it messes up our photo schedule, but because these rolling hills on the French/german border offer amazing riding. There are miles of super-twisty roads working their way through the peaks and valleys of these low, well-wooded mountains. In summer, the trees cast welcome shade on the roads. Today, they’re keeping the worst of the rain off the tarmac.
Only the very highest sections, as the mountains climb towards Grand Ballon – the tallest peak in the range – are above the treeline. As we emerge, I consider stopping at a café but then think better of it. These are some of my favourite roads and I’m going to enjoy them – it’s outstanding riding, whatever the weather.