When the heat hits in Provence, the countryside sings. It's a tune beaten out from the belly of the famous cicada (cigale in French) - those small insects that click and clack with relentless continuity. But only if the temperature reaches at least 22 degrees, when it begins to be hot work for a velocipede.

It adds another sensory experience to riding, and pausing, in Provence. Close your eyes for an instant and know that you're in an Occitan atmosphere, with full surround-sound.

The purpose of that sound? To call to mating partners.

Such a deserving cause demands volume. Cigales are amongst the loudest insects in the world. As loud as a motorbike? As loud as your breathing during the final kilometres of the Giant of Provence in oppressive heat? Louder actually. Nothing overcomes the cigales.

Folklore states that angels visited Provence and were disturbed by the laziness of the peasants. They reported to God who sent the cigales to keep them awake. You could say they were sent to remind everyone to make hay while the sun shines.

'Happy lizard drink in the sun, because time passes too quickly and tomorrow might be rainy.'

“Lou soulei mi fa canta”

A phrase coined by Frédéric Mistral, founder of a society to protect Provençal language and traditions of the region which translates to 'the sun makes me sing'.

Dolores is a lightweight cycling jersey made to make your legs beat to the tune of the sun all summer long because, when the cigales sing and the soft light shines, it shouldn't feel like work at all.