Vercors, France 2025

Bikes all loaded up, ready for departure early tomorrow morning. The first leg will see us to Beaune, France, where we’ve booked a hotel. We’ll arrive at our destination, Saillans, Saturday afternoon, where we’ve booked a gite which will be our base for the next two weeks.

 

Day 1

Just about 500 miles done, 200 to go tomorrow. Uneventful (which is good) journey. 34C here in Beaune, a bit much for the dog. She’s cooling off in the airconditioned room for bit…

 

Day 2

Less than 200 miles today, but took us 5,5 hours. Thick traffick jams passing through Lyon. But we’re here!





Home for a fortnight.

Next it was untrailering bikes and find a place for both trailer and car (and bikes) that would work.






Then it was time for some cooling down and relaxing in our private (little ) pool.

 

Day 3

We set off fearing it was going to be too hot, but fortunately after getting somewhat higher up it was fine.
First up the Col de la Croix, all single track and gorgeous.








Coming down we crossed some lovely countryside and villages.






Then it was up the Col de la Bataille. Awesome views.








After that the highlight of today, the Col du Rousset. Absolutely fabulous.










A 100 miles all told, which took about 4,5 hours. I reckon our bikes were leant over for about 80 % of the time… Brilliant day!

 

Day 4

We set off in our mesh jackets this morning, which proved to be a mistake…
Going up the Col des Limouches the weather came down, which made us pretty cold and damp very quickly.






It did not get better from there, and by the time we reached the Combe Laval visibility was down to 10 feet…






After that the Col de la Machine, which wasn’t much better.

By now thoroughly soaked and cold, we were happy to descend into the warm valley by means of the Col du Rousset.







We’ll try again tomorrow…

We did come home to a happy dog though…

 

Day 5

More or less the same route as yesterday, but counter clockwise. A big difference in both weather and experience.

Off to Die for petrol first, then up the Col du Rousset. Up was a complete other experience from coming down. Great.






Then on towards Col de la machine, and, now with visibility, the Combe Laval.

















On we went, for a slight detour I’d planned going up the Gorge D’Ombleze. This did not disappoint.










Then back home. Brilliant day.

 

Day 6

We left around 9 in the morning, going South this time. The first gorge was great, but no pictures as we couldn’t stop.

The next one was great though:









Then on towards base, some great little roads.







And ended the day in the pool…

 

Day 7

A rest day today. We took it easy in the morning, and used the afternoon to visit the town of Die, and replenish supplies. On the way home we did a (successful) reccie to see where we could have access to the river for the dog. Going riding early tomorrow (150 miles planned) as the afternoons are scorching hot at 34C…

 

Day 8

Right, we’ll bore you lot some more…

We set off early so as to beat the heat, and took a-roads to get to where we wanted to be reatively quickly. First stop in the shade…






Then on to our first goal for today, the Gorges de Nan. The first bit was a bit hair-raising - really steep, narrow and no barriers, but we soldiered on nonetheless.














After that some great roads on to the next one, the Gorges de la Bourne.






Some (by now) familiar roads back to digs, including the Col de Rousset, which will never tire…

 

Day 9

Off early again, this time off to the Gorges de la Gâts. Lots of tunnels and great scenery.












Then onto lots of little roads, and the very pretty Col de la Haute Beaume.








Home along some great driving passes/roads, and straight into the pool…

 

Day 10

No riding today, as we had a MMU, minimeetup. My good friend @Hubaxe and his lovely better half came to visit. A lovely lunch in the village and a good catch up was had.
Very nice to see them again!

 

Day 10

No riding today, as we had a MMU, minimeetup. My good friend @Hubaxe and his lovely better half came to visit. A lovely lunch in the village and a good catch up was had.
Very nice to see them again!

 

Day 11

We decided to do last Thursday’s ride in the opposite direction today. As stated before, a totally different experience. First Col, great views.





Up and over, some more pretty places.








The scent of lavender is omnipresent here in the Vercors. Here’s why…








When we got back to digs we took the dog in the car to let her have some much needed “cooling down” in the river Drôme.

 

Day 12

Today we did the ride that was spoiled bij fog last week.
We really missed out on views apparently…









This also meant riding the Combe Laval again, approached from the other side.
















Back home via the Col du Rousset, of which you’ve seen pictures. Great day again!

 

Day 13

Great ride today, but not many pics - no safe places to stop and too hot to stop too often.

Scenery was great (yet again).






Next up a little col, and then down a tiny road with fantastic views.







We then made a little detour to the Roche de Caire (Cairo Rock) because of the allegedly big chance of seeing various species of vultures there. Vultures were reintroduced to this area in 1999, and are apparently thriving. A 20 minute walk uphill in scorching heat to get there, only to find that that the vultures were not at home…
We did see a black kite being attacked by a peregrin as a saving grace though.





Very pretty up there, too.








Back home along some fantastic riding roads, stopping to get out of the blistering heat occasionally. Brilliant day though!

 

Day 14

Jefta was feeling a bit under the weather this morning, so stayed at the gite.
I set off toward Die, then up the Col de Menee. Very cloudy and wet at first but still fun to ride. Not fast, as the roads were pretty wet, but enjoyable all the same.

View coming up:






Just past the summit.






I had planned to ride the Col de Grimone in the opposite direction from our earlier ride. The views getting there were magnificent.






Col de Grimone.






Then the Gorges des Gât in opposite direction. Again very impressive.








From there I’d planned to get back via some small Cols and roads, and halfway there I passed “Le Claps” (NOT the STD ) - a spot where a piece of the mountain collapsed resulting in a very interesting site.








Picture from around 1850…






Then onto the small roads. The pass that impressed me most was the “Col de Pennes”. Very narrow and steep, but fantastic views.










Back home, with Jefta feeling better by now we took the dog to the river for a wee splash.








And rounded things off with a beer in the village…

 

Day 15

Early away, having decided to ride day one’s route counter clockwise. So up the Col de Rousset (again). A bit nippy and really windy, but hey ho, just get on with it. View at the top:












Next on to the Col de la Bataille. Great views again.






The next one was nice as well, but I particularly like the name…






From there all single track, up the Col de la Croix.














Home frome there to the horrible task of packing, and loading up bikes. We’ve had such a great time, we’re loath to leave.
Bikes all loaded up.






Then walked down to the village for dinner. A smashburger for the mrs. and steak tartare for me.

 

Home safe after an uneventful 13 hour drive…

Thanks for watching, Vulpes out!

 

What a fantastic trip and thanks for taking the time to report with brilliant photos. I really liked the fact that you took your dog along too.

 

Cheers fella, gladly done. We actually make an effort to take the wee dog with us when we go away. She just snoozes (she's 11) when we're out riding, and is really happy when we get back.