In Goumois, I refuel with water and carbohydrates for today’s 1600 metres in altitude. The first climb up the Col de la Vierge is a tough one. With my smallest gear ratio of 34/34 and a weight of around 30kg, it’s a borderline experience. Komoot, or I – who knows for sure – didn’t choose the easiest descents either. On mountain bike trails and with mechanical disc brakes, I plummet down into the valley, so I’m almost glad when it goes uphill again. There isn’t water on every corner, but the people here are very helpful. After a bulk purchase at the Lidl supermarket in Morteau and a final climb, me and my gear ratio are back to normal. The finest cycle highway to Pontarlier and the main road to Lac Saint-Point, where I set up camp for the night in a wooded area high above the lake.
Goumois (F) – Lac de Saint-Point (F)
Distance: 90 km (56 mi)
Altitude: 1600 m (5200 ft)
Date: 2025 May 2
0:00 Start in Goumois
8:15 Morteau
10:27 Pontarlier
11:47 Lac de Saint-Point
Music
The End by Quincas Moreira
Back on track. I said yesterday future me will be very happy to start the day with a climb. Let’s see if that’s true. So, my Garmin is going crazy again. I always thought is was a problem with with the pairing mode. That I was pushing the button to long. But it’s not. (It’s a known bug on multiday trips) So Vive la France I buy some water. I’m in this climb now. I think it’s a gentle climb in the beginning, and… This last part was heavy. Col de la vierge Team look. Climbing again. I don’t know. This reminds me of yesterday. Another adventure on a mountain bike trail. It’s even not a shortcut. The road goes there and I will have much longer this way. Crazy Komoot! Did I say I was an expert in mountain biking? I don’t know. I just missed… or you just missed a nice part, where they were climbing. It was a wall on my right side. And guys were climbing there. And it was realy steep on the left side it still is I guess Not that much. That’s the tricky part with the helmet camera and you don’t know if you are filming or not. So, I already climbed over a 1000 meters today I did nothing else. I need to make pace. 50 more kilometers to go. And now? Breaks are running hot (I had a) break, I don’t know half an hour, 40 minutes Taken the shoes off. But I can’t linger too long I have like 3 deciliters of water left. One last climb, maybe. I don’t know. I still haven’t seen any water. (I found water…) that’s the first good news. And this climb is completed, Garmin will say in a second or two. First time today, I have like free kilometers Because untill now it was either uphill, or some heavy trails downhill. 18 percent! I earned this. I climbed every meter to enjoy this now. Now you can’t do anything with this Garmin **** device. I didn’t miss anything. There was nothing to miss. That’s not possible. What is this? Morteau, marteau (Marteau = hammer) Hammer, the nice hammer đŸ˜‰ I don’t think we made the same course. I have been in the woods. Did you visit the ‘Saut du Doubs’? (I did not – difficult access from the french side of the doubs) I was in the Lidl buying some food and water. I am set for the rest of the day. After all these mountain bike trails, I am enjoying this right now. ‘Le petit Doubs’ I’m joking I think We are going to climb again – look! Nice huh. Up here maybe? (Sorry for the sound – Gopro01 is out of memory) Did it! Ville du Pont And this cycle way, this is a dedicated cycle way, oups. You can see. Finally making some good pace. I have no idea if this is still the doubs But it’s nice. Isn’t it? So. We are in Pontarlier I think. Nice! Last light! Down there is the lake. It’s friday night there are some parties going on I’m the king of the lake now. Tonights special: Pasta with tuna. great