We’ll begin the day with a short descent, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security, it really isn’t all downhill from here! We arrive at some flat riding sections with small rises along quiet lanes, through vineyards and lavender fields until we reach the village of Gordes from where we will begin to climb. It’s a challenging, yet thoroughly manageable, ascent which takes us over our first col, just shy of 600m above sea level. From the summit the views of the mighty Mont Ventoux are unnervingly clear. The Giant of Provence - Geant de Provence; watches over us ominously for much of the day. A tricky little descent is waiting for us on the other side of the col as we drop down in the direction of Villes sur Auzon, the gateway to the Gorges de la Nesque. We’ll spend the rest of the day riding through this impressively beautiful gorge before settling down in Sault, the centre of the ancient Provencal lavender trade where we will spend the next 2 nights.