ロワールの絶景の山頂・トップ17

A superb November morning, with a changing mist.

A massive, stone-built base supports the "Croix de Chirole," a symbol commemorating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, crowning the summit plateau. The two wooden beams of this small sacred monument clearly show the effects of wind and weather. The large body of the crucified Christ, however, whose light color clearly stands out against the background of the dark beams, appears to have been relatively recently restored or perhaps even renewed.

Very beautiful view of the Rhône valley

great ride but remember to charge the batteries before leaving.....

The Puy de Montoncel is an extinct volcano, culminating at an altitude of 1,287 meters. In a notebook, I wrote about it: "Its slopes are covered with a majestic thorn forest, with an archaic, sometimes primal beauty. The rare paths that cut through the woods wind along the slopes, in the shade of the green giants. These paths are the veins of the forest. They are tunnels of abundant oxygen. From meadows to groves, I feel as if I'm floating on an ocean of nature. At the summit of the puy, I find a plateau devoid of trees as if blown by the wind, and topped with a thick thatch. A huge iron cross rises into the sky, looking mischievously at the wind turbines on the neighboring ridges, which come to life with the sound of the air." I sit down on a wide carpet of green grass, a veritable velvet to rest my body after this first, sweaty climb. I light a pipe and cheerfully observe the Auvergne volcanoes that swell the horizon. Their supple, rounded shapes give the impression of observing distant hills. Puy-de-Dôme, Monts Dore, Puy-de-Sancy, I amuse myself by guessing the roofs I was clambering over the previous year.

Any self-respecting cyclist must, after reaching the Col de l'Oeillon, continue to the Crêt de l'Oeillon, the true summit and final objective of this climb!

I have been cycling this route for over 40 years and I never get tired of it.

A breathtaking view