Day 13: The start of the final

The beginning of the final

The beginning of the end of the journey. This is the stage that takes us safely to port. Mixed feelings at the start. We didn’t see the time pass. One part of us is relieved, proud, but strangely the other part wants more. Clumsiness. Distractions. Delays. Impatience.

The road feels like a big slide down towards Vidauban before the final climb to reach La Garde‑Freinet.

Easy. Relaxed.

The Canadian women join us from the start 🇨🇦

A tight group tackles the slopes of upper Provence, rolling south on fairly busy secondary roads. Not the most exciting part, to be honest. Except for this yet another greenway clinging to the hillside, overlooking a winding gorge. Scents of thyme. First cicadas. At that point, we sweat rosé.

We reach Vidauban and its long‑awaited ice‑cream stop quickly. A tradition. The Canadian men join us. We sit in the sun: ice cream and sparkling drinks. We recharge.

The calm before the end of the stage. The Col du Vignon. Full of memories for some, slightly feared by others. But we know the finish line is at the end of the effort, and we all take it on with enthusiasm.

The approach to the climb is not that simple. Headwind. We line up one behind the other: a procession across the Plaine des Maures; a strange colourful line in this unusual savannah. But instead of giraffes or antelopes, it’s the crossing of a suicidal tortoise that enlivens this part of the ride. Clearly not in any more of a hurry than we are.

We take our time together on the climb: solidarity. The three “fadas” from the start replay the story. We already share our best anecdotes. We also isolate ourselves at times, enjoying simple things after 13 days of cycling: a washing machine, putting clothes on a shelf, sleeping more than twice in the same bed… but what we miss most is the smile of the people we love, or have loved.

We all regroup at the top of the climb. We congratulate each other. For some, it was a real achievement. For others, a promise fulfilled to climb these slopes together again: another time, another context.

Festive arrival in the village. We are welcomed with drums, and nothing less than Queen and “We Are the Champions” as our trumpets. These sincere congratulations warm our hearts, and we share a friendly drink at the village café. We already celebrate and congratulate each other.

Tomorrow will be the final stage, with Saint‑Tropez as the final destination. A rolling ride, without bags, a final flourish before the celebrations and the well‑deserved relaxation.