Dizy Ride 7 - Last Ride in Champagne

Since today was our last ride in the Champagne region we thought it would be appropriate to wander through the vineyards (vignobles). Our timing was optimal since harvest started just a few days ago. 

This ride was short (~26 miles) but hilly, which is where the best grapes grow. There were several "killer" climbs starting at mile 2. My computer displays the grade so there was no doubt that I could see (13.2 %) what my legs and lungs were telling me. Each climb is only 200-300 feet of elevation gain and there is a rewarding downhill over every summit. 

Unfortunately at the end of every downhill is another uphill which is longer and more memorable. On average we climbed about 100 feet per mile which does not sound like a lot except when the grades are bunched together. 

Leaving the D1 warm up for the first and most challenging climb - except for the last one at the end of the ride. 

Since it was a chilly morning (low 50's) we wore lots of clothes. At the first summit it was time to shed a layer or two. 

Right pointing signs are behind us.

A flower adorned sign makes for a pleasant photo. 

Along the drive from Dizy and along the ride we passed migrant camps which just popped up a few days ago. 

Campers of all sizes and shapes.

You can smell the outdoor fires and breakfast cooking on the grill. 

Flowers on the sign make all the difference. 

Local pride!

Oh No, another climb ahead. 

Kim leads the way but I will pass her around the next bend. 

One of the mysteries in planning the route is guessing which roads are paved, and which are dirt and gravel farm roads. 

Numbered roads are usually safe, but not a guarantee. 

After passing through a few towns we followed a paved section which abruptly turned to gravel. Ugh! 

Time to back track and find another numbered road. 

Not sure if these geese were more fascinated by the biker, or the biker more fascinated by the geese. 

We have been to this town on an earlier ride. Hard to remember towns that are not memorable. 

The other end of the gravel farm road we avoided. 

There are literally miles and miles of vineyards as far as you can see. Some are on flat ground and others on steep hillsides too challenging for mere mortals.

A nice bunch among many nice bunches. Kim tasted a few which were very sweet and utterly delicious. 

To climb or not to climb, that is the question.

Our numbered road route landed us a the bottom of this town. Having scouted a coffee stop via Goggle Maps street view I knew there was one in the town center. 

Not about to pass up our coffee and pastry stop Kim started up this last killer climb. And what a doozy. 

The higher we climbed the steeper it got, topping out at 12+ percent. 

KOM (King of the Mountain) or QOM (Queen of the Mountain) we made it to the top. 

This bunch of grapes sculpture depicts every aspect of growing and producing wine, right down to the drinking.  

This was not a mirage. It was where and what we expected. 

A Just Reward!

Notice the palm fronds made from old wine bottles.

Funky.

Getting back to the car was a downhill delight. 

Notice the town from whence we came in the background. 

Good ride (hills and all) for last day.

We stopped along the way home to capture pickers at work. All the grapes in this region are hand picked. Mechanical harvesters need not apply. 

The bunches are at the bottom of the vines. A few days before a trimming contraption travels down each row removing the outside leaves exposing the grapes and letting the sun through to achieve the perfect sweetness.  

Hard to believe there are enough workers to pick all the grapes during the short harvest season. 

The fruits of this labor of love.