Kyle Martin – Sights from the Saddle

12 July, 2026

On the road nice and early again this morning for a 79 mile ride that included the Col du Grand Duc climb up from Mandelieu-la-Napoule to the village of Tanneron.

The 7.5km climb may only have an average gradient of 6% but, in my opinion, it is one of the tougher climbs in the area, with the steepest sections reaching 13% according to a mid-point sign.

Well worth the effort though for the stunning panoramas it offers of the Siagne Valley and the Bay of Cannes.

10 July, 2026

33.7 miles from Claviers-Callas-Viaduct du Rayol-Seillans-Bargemon-(Callas)-Claviers.

9 July, 2026

33.3 miles from Claviers-Montauroux-Callian-Claviers.

8 July, 2026

A morning ride out with Kay up to Mons, down the Gorges de la Siagne, up again to Callian, and home via Fayence and the old railway line. 43.7 miles from Claviers-Fayence-Mons-Callian-Claviers.

6 July, 2026

I was up at 3am this morning to watch, as it turned out, England beat Mexico in their World Cup round of 16 match. This provided me the perfect opportunity to get an early start for a ride out to Castellane.

I was away for 6.15am and it was glorious. Quiet roads and pleasantly cool, bordering on chilly in places. Claviers, through Bargemon, straight up to Col du Bel Homme, then follow Route Napoleon all the way to Castellane.

Immediately before the bridge that brings you into Castellane I turned left, taking the D102 balcony road to Le Bourguet – a very quiet road that climbs and snakes its way through a canyon carved by the Rayaup river.

Picking up the D52 and D955 I then headed to Jabron and Comps-sur-Artuby, extending the ride the ride to 75 miles by taking the long way round to Claviers – basically ignoring every opportunity to turn off left and head home via Bargemon or Callas.