70.35 miles, 649 metres climbed, average speed 12.7 mph
Set off from Arles about 9:15 after a group photo in front of the amphithearter. Weather was slightly overcast but warm.The first section of the ride was nice and flat passing through agricultural land with what looked like rice in paddy fields, then artichokes, and orchards of plums, cherries and pears. The brew van appeared at about 17 miles by which time the terrain had changed from flat to hilly with spectacular rocky outcrops. We were just below the hilltop town of Les Baux de Provence. Suitably refreshed we took the climb up to the very picturesque town with a viewpoint back to Arles..
We then continued climbing away from Baux and entered an area of pine trees. At St Remey de Provence we had to detour due to the town centre being closed for bull running -perhaps. The local explanation may have been lost in translation! Lunch stop came next to the cemetery at Graveson! Freshly made sandwiches, quiche and a delicious rhubarb tart. At 50 miles we reached the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage Site, which spans the Gardon river.
The route to Avignon was, for the most part, fairly flat as it followed the river Rhone but the road to our hotel was made a little tricky by some major road works.
There is a distinct lack of pot holes on any of the roads we have ridden today !