I knew that the final stage was always going to be a highlight in terms of both the scenery and physical demands. I wasn’t disappointed.

After a short descent out of Moustiers-Ste-Marie I began a long climb to Source de Vaumale at 1,180m. Fortunately it was still cool and I was also able to grab a breakfast stop mid climb at Aiguines. Later in the climb I was overtaken by a guy in jean shorts and no shirt on a pretty clapped out bike!

The route then passed through Gorge du Verdon, which is huge and absolutely stunning. There are some photos below that will not do it justice.

Given the amount of climbing, progress was very slow. Eventually I arrived in Castellane for lunch. It was just a boring and basic pizza unfortunately – not one of my better lunches of the trip. From there and until the final descent before Nice, all I can recall is heat! This was tough. The scenery was still amazing, but it was hard going.

It had to end though. I eventually began descending and, wow, what a descent! I pulled over a few times to grab pictures which are below. Again I doubt they do the scenery justice.

After the descent there was just the issue of negotiating the Nice road network and traffic before picking up the coastal cycle path. Once on the path it was the usual issues with cycle paths everywhere it seems, such as road works closing sections off and pedestrians wandering aimlessly across it, particularly with huge wheelie suitcases when I passed by the airport.

The endpoint was the Promenades des Anglais in central Nice. I simply pulled up to a wall by the seafront and got off my bike. Finished.

The Lac de Ste-Croix before the climb into the gorge.

The Gorge du Verdon. Second in size only the the Grand Canyon in the US. Hard to do it justice in my photos.

Part of the final descent into Nice. The road snaked between rocks and through tunnels. Overall I descended 800m, which seems to take forever.

The Med!!

The trusty steed. It was clicking and creeking at the end, but it held together.

I’ve tried to avoid doing the whole selfie thing, but here’s one to prove that I wasn’t a completely dishevelled wreck by the end.

Deep sighs of relief from everyone I’m sure, but the ACC sticker made it to the end.