Trail bike
I own and ride a Marin Palisades Lite 1992 in Marseille and a 2022 Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29 in Keswick.
I hired the only hardtail bike available in Cilaos, a Scott Aspect 50. There’s a forest bike park just outside the town with a selection of graded trails. Unfortunately the road tyres and brakes really won’t do that - I turned back after 10 m. down one of the red trails. So just the loop up to 1500 m. altitude on the forest road, but good enough to ride through cloud forest of Cryptomeria trees with the track lined with Ginger plants.
Cilaos (1150 m.) also has a mini BMX pump track, hidden and away from tourists. The locals made space for my efforts, then showed me much more. Anyhow great to feel the Gs of a different track to Keswick and Marseille and the bike was fine for that.
More photos: Route forestière de la Roche Merveilleuse, Cilaos - Parc national de La Réunion
Finding and following an old track across the savane (savannah) marked with black rocks either side was the highlight of this ride on the west side of Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
More photos: Lagoon - Savannah - Black Rock. Île de la Réunion.
I can’t usually get on the Keswick BMX pump track due to traffic more proficient and generally a lot younger than me. But it’s far too much fun for them only. It’s a concentrated workout, bowls as well as humps. Strenuous as well as teaching the skills and commitment that are essential to ride on the surrounding fells.
Marseille riders have the Borély Bowls, which gets more sunshine and is better for tricks than Keswick but it’s fearsome to ride.
Cap Croisette is the weathered limestone massif at the end of the peninsular from the Marseille leisure port of Pointe Rouge. A ride on urban blacktop until I reached the derelict sardine canning factories at the end of the standard bus line at la Madrague de Montredon.
Onwards with a chilly Mistral to Les Goudes, a pretty fishing village and port. Cap Croisette is the end of this road (by now just a track of weathered limestone) facing l’île Maïre across a treacherous narrow strait.
Sunday afternoon ride on my Marin Palisades Lite. Crowds out also enjoying the November sunshine.
