Riding with friends under blue skies on Le Mont Sainte Baume in Provence within sight of the snow on the Alps. I warmed up on the rubber-stained hairpins of the Col de l'Espigoulier (723 m.), my bike is running brilliantly following its routine service. We stopped for lunch and a break from the glacial wind at Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume, enjoying Salade aux Foies (me) or Pizza Royale (Denis) next to an open fire burning fragrant logs. We continued together to Méounes-lès-Montrieux, from where we split after a coffee in the bar in the centre of the village.
One of those days riding sports bikes among friends that it is easy to wish you could do all day, every day. But remember Faust and Mephistopheles...

Blue bike rather than red bike because the blue SV is a loan bike whilst my RR was being serviced in Peyrolles-en-Provence. Good for a wintry ride up to the Col d'Ayen (1031 m.) through just part of the Grand Canyon of the Verdon, early enough in the day to see some goats and also deer. Snow in the gullies and ravines. A warming Blanquette de Lapin aux girolles at a Lou in La-Palud-sur-Verdon. Back down the corners of the road twisting down the side of the canyon to the Lac de Sainte-Croix.

Read more: Col d'Ayen (1031 m.)

First ride out from Marseille of 2016! Morning mist cleared rapidly to reveal dry roads clear of traffic, right for late braking and high revs riding despite bulky winter gear.
An opportunity to stay within the Bouches du Rhône département, taking in the Roman bridge at St. Chamas and views of the limestone of the Luberon and Alpilles mountains. Plus meeting with a French mate for lunch in Sénas.

Fine engineering for race track motorbikes, a team of race bikes, big exhaust pipes on a custom bike built around a huge engine and a cash prize competition for the longest time holding fat tyres on the arms. A group of pictures linking power and money, my attempt to get away from the clichéd imagery in this area, city buildings at night etc.