Cycling from Aubusson, France to Tauves, France
This
day would be the beginning of some climbing. Leaving Aubusson to the south by the
D982, I was soon climbing a hill of trois fleches,
or a 15% grade to les Combes on the C1,
high above the Barrage des Combes, then a
quick descent to Felletin. From there the D982
follows the Creuse to its source
near the
Le Massoubre (815m). Not a really high one at all,
but it was my first col in France. What a thrill to see that sign at the top! From here I
jumped on the C1 to connect with the
D117 through some pretty country down to Sornac,
then rode the D80 back to the D982 and into
Ussel.
It was about 2PM and I went over to check out the hostel, only to find it closed up
tight, shut down. It was really too early to quit for the day, so turned east on the
D159. This road was basically
on a plateau and
looking east it was pretty flat, except for these dark stripes running north to south in
the distance. These turned out to be the valleys of the Dozanne and the
Dognon,
sharp descents, followed by the climb back up top. At St. Etienne-aux-Clos, got the
D82 and the D159
over to Confolent-Port-Dieu, where one can overlook the great valley of the Dordogne and cross the Pont d'Arpiat over
to Singles. This was a beautiful lake setting with many enjoying the sunny afternoon.
A long climb on the D29 just about
finished me and I was really glad to find a small hotel, The Hotel du Lion d'Or in Tauves,
with a room for me. This was my first night of the trip in a hotel and a chance to do some
hand washing. This was a most excellent and tranquil hotel, which served a delicious repas
and superbe petit dejeuner.
