August 02, 2008. From Pont de Gard we ride through Avignon and Carpentras.

Enroute to Mt. Ventoux we detour at the spare of the moment onto a scenic route...

...through the GORGES DE LA NESQUE.

We had not expected to encounter this beautiful gorge...

...and spent much longer then anticipated in the area.

The road winds its way through a narrow gorge.

There are several tunnels carved out of the rock...

...and the road clings to the side of the mountain.

Strategic placed look outs give excellent views...

... in the distance we can see towering high above Mt. Ventoux or next destination.

On the ascend of MT VENTOUX we stop to pay our respects at the monument...

...of British cyclist Tommy Simpson who died during the 1967 Tour de France.

Mt. Ventoux, means Windy Mountain.

We reached the summit of 1909m.

The sky is bluer then blue and the 360 Degree view spectacular.

Here we meet another motorcyclist, Boris (please contact us if you read this).

We continue through Nyon, past Gerres to Gap.

The scenery around Lac de Serre-Panon is breathtaking.

We turn at Guillestrewe onto D902...

... to start the ascend of COL D' IZUARD (2360m).

The beginning of many more passes to came in the French Alps.

This is the Parc Regional du Queyras.

Here, a wall of 3000m peaks separate France from Italy.

We descend from 2360m to the highest town in Europe.

The town of Briancon lies at 1320m.

This is our final destination of the day. We set up camp in the midst of the French Alps.

Aug. 03, 2008. How can one describe "the" perfect riding day.

Ahead of us a massive mountain range the FRENCH ALPS.

Yet again we hoped for blue skies and what we got was exactly that.

From Briancon we head north toward our first ascend...

...COL DU LAUTARET (2058m).

We continue on the N91...

...and then join the famous Tour de France route...

...have breakfast at this beautiful spot...

...before reaching L' ALPE-D' HUEZ.

A picture of the Tour de France L' Alpe-d' Huez Stage Finish Line.

The road actually continued onwards and...

...we explored until it dead ended.

How does it get any better then this?

Further evidence of the recent Tour de France Tour.

Instead of descending on the same road...

...we rerouted and found a smaller less traveled road...

...that gave spectacular views...

...of the mountains, the valley below and...

...and the switchback we just completed.

This is why motorcycling in Europe is soooo much fun.

At Allemont we join up with the D526...

...which makes its way through the Chaine de Beledonne Mountain Range.

Another breathtaking view.

A million picture opportunities.

We had picked the perfect day to make this run.

The COL DU GLANDON (1951m).

Back on the D926 we climb another mountain pass...

...the scenery yet again amazing...

...the roads yet again perfect...

...life is tough...

The road ahead...

...and then we reach the top of COL DE LA CROIZ DE FER (2067m).

We check out the scenery...

...smile at each other...

...take a picture...

...and continue to the COL DU TELEGRAPHE (1570m).

But we left the best for last.

Our last climb of the day.

Switchback after switchback.

We make it up this mountain.

Reaching the summit pass of COL DU GALIBIER (2645m).

Not much more has to be said...

...as the pictures...

...are a 1000 words...an amazing ride.

All good things have to come to an end...

...back at the campsite Ruby notice oil on the back tire...

...and on the rear shock. We wiped of the oil with gasoline...

...and on August 04, 2008 headed toward Germany. COL DE L'ECHELLE (1732m)

Our initial thought was that the rear shock had blown up.

The quickest way to Germany was from Briancon to Le Monetier-les-Bain...

...over the mountains into Italy to join up with the E70.

We made it as far as Geneva and the motorcycle was done. Please see Switzerland for repair details.

Aug. 06, 2008. After the repair of the motorcycle and en-route to Germany...

...we detour to STRASBOURG.

We really didn't want this trip to end.

Setting up camp on the outskirts of Kehl...

...we return to Strasbourg and park the motorcycle...

...on the sidewalk only meters from the Cathedral.

The famous Cathedrale Notre-Dame.

The rose windows beautifully decorated with stained glass...

...as are the windows.

Candles are lit in memory of past ones.

The nave of the church.

Statues line the walls.

The Astronomical Clock.

We took a stroll down the Grand Rue to the Ponts-Couverts.

Beautiful restored houses tower over the canals.

We continue our walk along the Quai Saint-Thomas...

...on the shores of the Canal III.

The St. Paul Church situated on the Place du General Eisenhower.

The towers are 76m tall and...

...the church was completed 1896.

Again a beautiful rose window...

...and stained windows.

The university is located not far from the St. Paul Church.

Statues of the main University building.

The sun is setting allowing for perfect lighting.

We return to the Ponts-Couverts.

The reflection of the beautiful colourful tall houses, bridges...

...and medieval watchtowers in the waters of the canals were mesmerizing.

This area is called Petite France...

...which was once the tanners' district.

We sit down for a meal with a full view of the Cathedrale Notre-Dame.

Blass Musik - traditional German Music.

By 11pm the grand show occurs.

Only during the summer months the Cathedral has nightly light concerts.

45 minutes of a spectacular light show complete with music.

The perfect ending to another trip.