Jubilation at crossing safely back in to France at 2,744 m., amongst bare granite and high enough to be in the clouds. Col Agnel is the highest international col in the Alps with a road surface: the road is a bit rough on the Italian side but with impressive views of the Pain de Sucre (3208 m.), that I scrambled to the summit of on my birthday in 2009. This time, just a picnic next to a mountain stream.
Now riding down the valley of the river Durance to Marseille. A route I know well and now, after nearly 4000 kilometres, knowing this Z1000SX., at last I get to full throttle at reasonable revs. The ride scares me: I’m not confident about stopping this heavy bike. Yes the Sports Tourer configuration has got me over to the Eastern Alps but when we got there, it was too heavy for real play. It’s not nimble like an R1 or Fireblade, not a brute like a GSXR nor is it long-legged like a 1200 KTM or the ubiquitous BMW rides.
I saw 37°C air temperature indicated around Manosque before the moderation down to 28°C down in Marseille on the sea. But a dry heat unlike yesterday’s humid heat in the Po plain.
Now to Marseille... “you know you’re in Marseille when...” not one but a pair of litre Ninjas (from the same Kawa concessionaire in Marseille as the bike I’ve been riding) draw up either side and escort you - and paniers - white-lining through the traffic. Thanks and wow!
So 3912 km., France, Italy, Austria, Germany and Switzerland, numerous cols and countless tolls (but my credit card bill will itemise them clinically), that was a huge ride, riding every day for over a fortnight, a real big bike adventure. Hiring the Z1000SX made it possible, my CBR600RR 2017 ABS is more fun but would have been too uncomfortable for the distances and with the baggage necessary for a fortnight away.
Last morning with the Z1000SXbike: time to enjoy a fine Provence dawn and sunrise with some music:
The best of times is now.
What’s left of Summer
But a faded rose?
The best of times is now.
As for tomorrow,
Well, who knows? Who knows? Who knows?
So hold this moment fast,
And live and love
As hard as you know how.
And make this moment last
Because the best of times is now, Is now, is now.
Now, not some forgotten yesterday.
Now, tomorrow is too far away.
So hold this moment fast,
And live and love
As hard as you know how.
And make this moment last,
Because the best of times is now, Is now, is now.
- Jerry Herman’s lyrics for La Cage Aux Folles (1983)
"The Best Of Times" - Dennis Quilley, George Hearn and Buz Butler (1987)