Our fundraising cycle ride continues in the Alps de Haute Provence

Day 4, 23rd May: Digne-les-Bains to Gap

Our journey today was by far the biggest challenge I’ve ever had on a cycle trip. 100 km journey and an ascent of nearly 1,300m, about 4,300 ft. Although tough, we continued our journey in stunning scenery. We were travelling in the river Durance valley. Luckily there were stretches where we cycled on the level alongside a massive irrigation canal with mountains either side.

The main town on this route sits beneath the ancient citadel of Sisteron which dominates the town, This fortified citadel sits in a gap between the mountains and is extremely impressive. Apparently the town was Royalist at the time Napoléon came this way but they let him through. History may have taken a different course of even if they hadn’t in 1815!

We eventually arrived at the outskirts of Gap. It was about 7.30pm and my battery was down to 15%. I was running out of energy and we were both hungry. Luckily we spotted a bistro cafe bar set back from thr road which was holding a rock performance. It seemed the ideal place where we could stop and have a drink and get something to eat. We were lucky because the guy behind the bar allowed me to charge my battery. Phew! We enjoyed the end of the day sunshine, having a pint and a pizza whilst watching the rock performance.