Col de Mézilhac

We had a big climb ahead of us up the Volane River to the Col de Mézilhac so we could drop back down along the Dorne River to Le Cheylard. We climbed 900 m in 30 km, and were pleased with the relaxed grade. We followed the river past various types of rock (sedimentary and volcanic!) and up to the alpine, where it was definitely chillier. Then, after a celebratory cookie break, we sailed down the valley of the Dorne - 20 km of coasting through verdant forests, river side towns and impressive bridges. We arrived in Le Cheylard to crowds of cyclists - with all kinds of bikes, including a majority of e-bikes, and all manner of bicycle child-carrying contraptions - as this is a popular stop on a well-known cycle trail, on a long weekend no less.Read more