Ride of the month: February - Back to basics

Dog days and too many funny cats. It’s always a relief to ride, now more than ever if that were possible. The sun adds flavour, like a twist to a favourite drink or a spice in a familiar meal. From Nice, in February, searching for sunshine and road time in equal measure, the route is obvious. Col d’Eze and Col de la Madone.

With the sea on one side and the sun all the way, it’s a classic for a reason. Equally popular with locals, visitors and pros who sit somewhere between the two. Included in Le Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var and endlessly interesting, however many times it is ridden. And it’s ridden a lot.

But if you’re looking for flat, look somewhere else. This is either up or down, there’s no in between. Two climbs and two descents. Two plus two which equals more. More of everything about life on a bike and plenty enough to blow away the cobwebs of confinement. Even for a short time.

The real start is the left at the exit of Villefranche and then it’s counting in threes, from the basse to the moyenne and up to the grande corniche. Hit La Turbie and it’s the first dive of the day, heading back down to Menton. Another left to go through the Serres de la Madone and a welcome to some grunt and grit. High percentages and a series of hairpins.

If you’re looking for a mental diversion, it’s here that Lawrence Johnston, an Anglo-American who was French at heart, spent the best part of two decades establishing his celebrated gardens. He chose the spot not for the riding but for the climate, a place he could plant sub-tropical species from around the world alongside old olives on terraces dug into the hill.

It was good choice for the Buddleja officinalis and Rosa chinensis but at this time of year even the best of days can turn quickly into the worst of days as far as weather is concerned. Clouds gathering like bees around honey, the wind rising as if woken from the deepest of sleeps. Take a chance but take a jacket just in case.

Even if the sky stays blue the descent after the top of Madone will be cold. Technical too on the Peille side before turning into a false flat on the way to La Turbie. The famous fountain signals the way home, it’s all down hill from here.

It’s a ride which delivers much and promises even more. Perhaps the first real up of the year with more, much more, to come. The first rays of real sun, the first gasps of real air. Next it will be spring and the start of a new season proper.

Ride of the month: February - Back to basics

Corniche D'Or

Early in the year it can be cold, even on the Cote d’Azur. The days are shorter, the sun is weaker and even the water seems less blue.

The perched villages

Joining the dots that are the perched villages of the arrière-pays niçois for a roller-coaster ride that peaks over the Col St Roch.

The Deconfinement All-Road Ride

Linking Col de Braus and Col de la Madone via a beautiful double track traverse and finishing with a 25km descent back to the sea.

The Secret Vésubie Climbs

Sharing two almost secret climbs that take you up past the tree lines to provide a window on to the wild high peaks of the Mercantour National Park.

The Tour de France

From the sea to the mountains and back again, mixing up the parcours of Stages One and Two of this year’s Tour de France to take in Col de Turini and Col d’Eze.