Étape 11: Avignon to Marseille (100km) – Fin

A little down, last night we accepted the fact that without a new tyre it would not be safe for me to ride to Marseille (with the prospect of being stranded miles from anywhere with limited water in the searing heat). Our only hope was a bike shop in Avignon.

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(Above: The shredded tyre rim from extremely hot and rough conditions, and over 1,100km of wear)

Fortunately we found just about the only bike shop open in Avignon, Ultimebike, where I was able to source a new 25mm tyre and get back on the road for the final leg of this tour.

We had to make up lost time, especially after trying unsuccessfully for some time to make our way out of Avignon, but we were soon flying along down quiet D roads through sleepy French villages once more.

We stopped at defacto halfway point Salon-de-Provence for a bite to eat, and a few gallons of water from a local boulangerie there. At that point it sunk in that just 50km remained, so no matter the painful knees and muscles, the heat, the drying wind – nothing mattered now except getting to Marseille.

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A few climbs remained, then we could feel the sea air as a pronounced sea breeze set in around 15:00. A few very scary roundabouts to negotiate with the A7/A51 with us almost drifting onto the Autoroute, without paying! As always French drivers were curteous and gave us plenty of room, unlike in the UK where you’d be hooted just for seemingly existing! Finally though after all this we had arrived at the Mediterranean coast in Marseille and we had done it, exhausted but elated.

Tomorrow its a long (but fast across France) train journey back to the UK. Time to unwind, relax and recover.

Thanks for reading, and for supporting us. I hope to post a round-up tomorrow!

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