The Magical Mystical Monts de Blond have cast a spell on me, one of my favourite places to ride, I never tire of riding there. Seems like there’s always a new trail to discover just around the corner.

For those who don’t know the area riding can be a bit hit and miss, even though there are waymarked trails, and in anycase, the waymarked trails miss out some of the best bits, and you have to be able to read the secret code…

Carla and I parked above Boscartus under a beautiful blue sky, we were looking for a couple of hours of good riding. Our usual parking spot is now a pile of timber due to forestry operations, so we parked a little further on. Just next to our new parking spot there was a trail heading up into the trees. While Carla tried combinations of armwarmers and legwarmers I rode a short way to see where it went. I was suprised to find that it was a trail that I knew well, just that I’d never ridden it in that direction before. Little did I realise the significance of this at the time.

Back at the van Carla was ready, and we set off in the direction we had planned. Roller coastering along the side of the hills the trails were in superb condition, Carla was riding well, and we hadn’t a care in the world. The Monts were working their magic. 🙂

Along past the ‘Croix des 7 Fayauds’, the story goes that the cross is actually hewn from a megalithe, rather than made somewhere then mounted. We reach the Hauts de Blond, just about the highest point of the ride, with fabulous views. Onwards towards the Chapel above Vaulry before looping back along Les Cimes.

It’s half-term for the schools this week, and we meet a french couple coming the other way. They ask us which would be the quickest and easiest way to walk to Blond. We think for a moment, then, using my local knowledge, in my best french, I explain to them. They understand my french first time, and I’m pleased to have been able to help them.

We ride on, the trails flow, and we’re having a super ride. With almost two hours done we are right on schedule, but it’s such a superb afternoon I ask Carla if she fancies a little extra loop, it’ll probably add half an hour. She does. We continue along past Boscartus towards Peyrelade. There’s a big climb, but it’s the last climb of the day. “Last big climb of the day”, I tell Carla. Just then, another french couple stop us to ask where the trail goes. “Arnac”, I tell them. Heck, we’re like locals! 🙂

At the top of the climb we turn right. “5 minutes or 15 minutes?”, I ask. Carla opts for the 15 minutes…………….

…… and then, the spell is broken. Some 45minutes later we are back where we started and I’m completley disorientated, and now it’s getting late in the afternoon, the sun is going down, and it’s going damn cold.

Here’s a bloke who knows the trails in the area. Here’s a bloke who uses his local knowledge to help others who are lost. Here’s a plonker, first class! With three hours plus on the clock we’re back at the van. Doh 😉