Trail bike
Ages since I’ve been out in the Parc National des Calanques on my classic Marin mountain bike but a reminder of the clearer air and the views quite specific to the Calanques around Marseille. The cloudy-bright day was better as it’s easily too hot when there’s full sun, also only a light breeze not a violent Mistral. Sun-baked limestone is particularly sharp so rough on the tyres. I took my picnic just down from the summit of Le Baou Rond (282 m.) with views along the coast and back to Marseille. Big geology. Herbes de Provence grow wild up here: rosemary showing its blue flowers now; thyme and savory are around too.
More photos: Le Baou Rond (282 m.) - Col des Escourtines (213 m.) - Parc National des Calanques
Great trail bike country in the Vienna woods (Wiener Wald) up from Gumpoldskirchen. This is the Anniger mountain (675 m.). My friend with the Scott 700 took the short ride on the S-Bahn out of Vienna - the bike needs a ticket too. This is forested limestone country. There are a number of Jubiläumswarten (Jubilee Towers) which poke above the forest canopy to enjoy panoramic views of the Alps, Vienna and the Carpathian mountains.
Riding my Marin Palisades Trail (1990s) to the one of the Fitness à l’air libre (outdoor gym) at Parc Balnéaire du Prado, the Prado Beach Park in Marseille. Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California this one is not, and so much the better, but it’s good to do my regular stretching routine outdoors in the sea air and sunshine, away from the worst of the air pollution. No suspension at all on this vintage bike.
There’s another Fitness à l’air libre installation in Parc Borély nearby which is very much place for the big guys.
Road ride from Pointe Rouge and la Madrage de Montredon then in the Parc National des Calanques onwards to the fishing village almost at the end of the road, Les Goudes.
