View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Friendly Friday Challenge: Mountain top
The Friendly Friday Challenge is now a fortnightly challenge co-hosted by Amanda from Something to Ponder About and Sandy from The Sandy Chronicles.
Amanda’s Friendly Friday Blog Challenge is Mountain Top. As both a keen cycllist and skier, I’ve visited plenty of mountain tops but nothing too high, I don’t like heights. So what do I have in my archives?
For the second week of the challenge, let’s visit some mountains/hills that I’ve cycled up!
A girl never forgets her first Cat One climb, mine was Col d’Eze during 2008 Paris-Nice race.
One of my most regular training rides is up Col de Vence and again, I have fond memories of my first ascension but this was before I started the blog. So here’s one of many posts about my training rides up the Col.
The other major ride in the area is the infamous Col de la Madone. My maiden ascent wore me out but I’ve since bested the beast.
My highest ascent was of the Col de la Bonette, 2,715 metres (8,907 ft), a high mountain pass in the French Alps, near the border with Italy within the Mercantour National Park, the highest paved route through the Alps.
I’ve climbed all three routes to the summit of Mont Ventoux, just not on the same day. I’ve also conquered The Izoard and Galibier which freqently feature in the Tour de France and the Tourmalet in the Pyrenees, to name just a few more……….There are loads of early posts on my blog about my cycling exploits!
Last week I featured mountains I’ve skied up, down and around. I should add that I’ve cycled up many of these as well.
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This year the girls are are opening up the challenge, making its focus not purely on photography but making it a little more varied, a little more open and interesting.
How to join the Challenge
- Write a post titled ‘Friendly Friday- xxx Prompt name xxx’ with tag ‘Friendly Friday’
- Include a link to the original Friendly Friendly Challenge post on the host’s blog
- Optionally, you can include the latest Friendly Friday Challenge logo. Download it here.
- Comment on the host’s Friendly Friday post, so that other readers can find and read your response.
- Remember to include a link to your post in your comment. This will guarantee a visit, in the event the automatic ping-back does not work.
- Visit other Friendly Friday entries by following their links. It’s fun!
- Follow the host blogs to see future Friendly Friday Challenges
The Benefits
- Increase your exposure in our blogging communities
- Inspire and be inspired by diverse blog articles
- Challenge your creativity
- Make new friends and keep in touch with old ones
Are you joining in this year? Go on……you know it’ll be fun!
View from the Back 
Bravo! You are very fit to cycle up mountains and fearless to cycle down.
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Thanks Sandy! I’m better at descending than ascending
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Magnificent entry, Sheree!
The reward for all the hard work getting up those climbs is the perfect view from the top! So enjoyed these photographs, Sheree. Thanks ever so much for joining in on Friendly Friday.
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It’s always a pleasure
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From these pics I would say you are far braver than I have ever been
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Maybe
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Wow! I’m exhausted just thinking about walking uphill.
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😎
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Amazing views!
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Thanks
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Cycling on a mountain is a different elation! You have a horde of achievements in you cycling venture! Tourmalet track is such a splendor! Loved the post… its quite exhilarating. Thanks for sharing details of the Friendly Friday challenge…
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