Trail bike
Enjoying some rides at Grizedale on a Rockhopper Elite, just the simple bike: front suspension, hardtail with big fat tyres. Much more stable on a muddy track than my classic Marin due to the Rockhopper’s bigger wheels and still quite a bit lighter than the Marin. The Elite is 10-speed on one gear cassette whereas my Marin Palisades Trail Lite has the original 3x5 chain wheel and dérailleur, more fiddly but useful in riding a variety of terrains, town and country.
More: Rockhopper at Grizedale Forest - Lake District National Park
Callelongue
A challenging ride but magnificent views of the Marseilleveyre rocks, the Mediterranean and the Bay of Marseille, all in gorgeous January sunshine. This route is not long but was more arduous than I expected especially because of the loose and sharp calcaire rocks which form the path. Blue flowers of rosemary and thyme and a yellow, possibly a Mediterranean variety of broom, a particular favourite with the bees. The route is named in honour of Antoine Pellicé, a President of the Marseille hiking club.
Ride around the land side of the Marseilleveyre massif which overlooks Marseille and its beaches. The calanques are where the rocky limestone valleys are submerged by the Mediterranean, the valleys on the landward side are wooded with pines and shrubs.
Not many routes are open to trail bikes in the Parc National des Calanques so the choice is limited. Starting from the pines of the Roy d’Espagne estate, my route took me and my classic Marin up the Vallon de la Jarré, over the col at about 265 m. and down the Vallon des Trois Gancets to the beaches at Pointe Rouge and Borély.
Ride over to the beach at Marseille Plage Borély. The beach is kept clear and pretty in the summer season but the autumn storms have landed rocks and mud on the beach paths, also seaweed on the sand. And puddles. So play time on my Marin trail bike. Very squeaky centre-pull brakes for the ride back too.
Ride to Marseille beach Borély under a burning blue sky, my scenic route passing the renowned architecture of L’immeuble Corbusier.
