#10: [06-Mar-24]

#9: [24-Sep-23]

#8: [24-Jul-18]

#7: [06-Sep-17]

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#4: [01-Jan-10]

#3: [15-Nov-05]

#2: [06-Jul-05]

#1: [15-Aug-01]

04-May-2013 -- This confluence visit is the first out of 2 visits that I made during a cycling week-end in France.

After work on Friday, I left Zurich by train that took me to Avignon, arriving there at 10 PM after a 6-hour train ride. I spent the night in a hostel and had an early start before sunrise. Of course, I didn't miss the medieval bridge Saint-Bénézet that has become famous from the song 'Sur le Pont d'Avignon'.

Then, I headed out of town in order to visit the confluence, which is 20 km from the city center. The area is flat and cycling was great during those peaceful morning hours. From the little county road D38 (Route d'Althen) a 400 m field track gave me access to the confluence. For the last 100 m, I had to walk between two fields in order to get to the exact location. The confluence is located directly on a narrow line of conifer-trees that separates those two fields. The fields were already sown, but the seedlings hadn't come out yet. So it is hard to say what is going to grow here this year.

I left the confluence to the north via Monteux and cycled northwards along the Rhône. Unfortunately, I had forgotten about the Mistral, which is a strong, cold wind that blows from the north. But when fighting against the wind, the trick is to put up with (or even accept inwardly) being slow - then it doesn't make you feel bad anymore!

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to an asphalt road: 400 m
• Distance to a track: 100 m
• Distance of bicycle parking: 100 m
• Time to reach CP from parking: 2 minutes
• Time at CP: 6:20 AM
• Measured height: 41 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 1 m
• Position accuracy: 3 m
• Topography: flat
• Vegetation: conifer trees, agricultural fields.
• Weather: fine, 16° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: The Mistral Confluence

The story continues at 45°N 5°E.