{"id":17832,"title":"Tour de Massif des Maures","description":"Good friend Keith Brooks takes us on a cycling tour of the beautiful and unspoilt Massif des Maures deep in the South of France.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: EXPLORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Good friend Keith Brooks takes us on a cycling tour of the beautiful and unspoilt Massif des Maures deep in the South of France.\"\"Image credit: Keith Brooks <\/em>Looking down towards the Mediterranean\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

If you've not heard of the Massif des Maures that explains some of its charms. It's a little-known mountain range found only a few kilometres north of the sparkling azure of the Mediterranean\u00a0and St Tropez. It's an area that civilisation has largely left undisturbed allowing such animals as wild Boar and even tortoises to live in some tranquillity.<\/p>

Keith Brooks - Cycling Champion<\/h3>

I've known Keith for over a quarter of a century. He's one of the club cyclists that form the backbone of cycle sport in the UK. Whether competing, organising or standing on a lonely corner marshalling, Keith radiates a passion for the sport. He's not one to brag, but he's a former British Cycling Masters' road race champion.<\/p>

I first really got to know Keith when I embarked on a racing comeback. We were both riding an early-season race organised, in his own unique way, by former professional Keith Butler. On this particular occasion, Keith had decreed that two separate races would start together but finish a few laps apart.\"\" Image credit: Keith Brooks <\/em>Keith has a collection of championship medals<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Somehow, both Keith and I found ourselves in the break for the elite race. Despite \"majorly suffering\", I never missed a turn. Keith, meanwhile, sat at the back. Approaching the finish of our race, he informed me that he was honour-bound not to contest the sprint. I eyed him with deep suspicion and tried to peer deep within his soul.<\/p>

Fearing he'd go back on his word, I launched a ferocious attack with 200 metres to go. Instantly, my legs were seized with deep, penetrating cramps. I fell back into the saddle and realised I'd lost. I couldn't turn the pedals. Suddenly, as I coasted to inevitable defeat, I felt a gentle pressure in the small of my back as Keith pushed me across the line to victory.\"\" Image credit: Keith Brooks <\/em>Keith Brooks heading out for a spin in the French sunshine<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

I'm delighted that Keith has written this article about his time spent in the Massif des Maures. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.<\/p>

La Garde-Freinet<\/h3>

Keith writes<\/strong> ... I first came across the village of La Garde-Freinet in the early 2000s whilst on a trip to the South of France to visit my old cycling pal Colin Summerfield on his boat on the Cote d'Azur. Colin was an excellent amateur rider who'd won, amongst many other races, the South West London Divisional championships.\"\"Image credit: Keith Brooks <\/em>La Garde-Freinet<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Perched at 350 metres above sea level and approached in three directions by a 5 km climb, La Garde-Freinet is a quiet village which comes to life in the Summer with second homeowners from Northern Europe. Over the next 20 years, I was lucky to be able to visit a number of times each year and it became a second home to us too.<\/p>

Tour du Haut Var<\/h3>

The area is traditional with the early season French races such as the Tour of the Mediterranean and the Tour du Haut Var. It was spooky how each year our first trip down would coincide with the Haut Var which often came through the village.<\/p>

It was at one of the Haut Var stages, just after we'd set up the veteran's team Ciclisti Vecchi (Italian: Old Cyclists) that I met Bryan Clarke, whose brother Alan had just joined the Vecchi. Bryan was living in St Raphael, flying fit, and he introduced me to a local French club.\"\" Image credit: Keith Brooks <\/em>The Tour du Haut Var passes through<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Over the next few years, lots of the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153West London\u00e2\u20ac lads came down to watch the race including former professionals and enthusiastic amateurs. This included Al Clarke, Doug Collins, Mick Clark, Tony Gowland, Johnny Miller, Pete Fordham and the late Alan Quinn who was living in Frejus at the time. As well as some fellow Vecchis, Jim Morris, Andy Grant and Colin Addison.<\/p>

Exploring<\/h3>

In the early years when I was a bit younger and fitter, I'd spend a lot of time exploring the area on the bike, going down to the coast or inland past extensive vineyards. No matter what direction I went in every ride had a sting in the tail with that 5Km climb back up to the village.\"\" Image credit: Keith Brooks <\/em>West London 'mafia' enjoy the entente cordiale<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

For a change, I'd ride the old goat tracks along the ridge above the village, great on an MTB, or gravel bike today. The reward is amazing views of the Bay of St Tropez on one side and the snow-capped peaks of the lower alps on the other. I rarely saw anyone else and it was common to encounter goats and wild boars.<\/p>

Circuit Massif des Maures<\/strong><\/h2>

One of my favourite rides was a 40 km circuit which left the village and headed for 6Kms along the flat plateau. This short section to the top of the Col de Vignon was to become a regular ride for me after my heart operation as part of my recovery. Sometimes I'd ride a couple of kilometres down the descent to test myself but mainly I'd stay on the flat.<\/p>

Once fit again though, I'd fly down the full descent of 6Kms of well-surfaced winding roads to the village of Plan de La Tour, very popular with Brits and home to Johnny Depp. I was riding the reverse a couple of years back on the 39 x 23 when Jumbo-Visma professional Steven Kruijswijk flew past me on the big ring. He nodded briefly as he flashed past.\"\" Image credit: Keith Brooks <\/em>The D44<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

From Plan de La Tour the road starts to climb again up the D44 to Les Gastons, about 4Kms and again the type of climb the pros would ride on the big ring. But not for me. A short descent and then a left on the D72 towards Vidauban.

I first came across this road riding L'epervier Sportive a couple of years after the devastating fires of 2003. At that time the area looked very sad. All you could see was scorched earth and burnt trees. The road surface was rough too.<\/p>

Fortunately, as the years passed nature recovered and the local authority resurfaced the road. It's a very quiet area, with rolling hills, sweeping bends, rarely any traffic just the occasional rider going the other way. After about 10kms you pass a strangely silent golf course. It's in immaculate condition but I never saw anyone playing there.\"\" Image credit: Keith Brooks <\/em>Bridge over the River Aille<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

The rumour in the local cafe is that it's owned by a number of wealthy individuals for their exclusive use. A couple of kilometres further there's a wonderful old metal bridge across the Aille river and from there the road winds through vineyards towards Vidauban.

A left turn takes you onto the D48 which is always tough going. The surface is uneven, there's a bit of traffic and a couple of false flats which really hurt my legs.<\/p>

After passing the Domaine Chateau D'Aille, home to some fantastic red and rose wines, you turn left back onto the D74 and the toughest part of the ride. Initially, it's flat for a couple of kilometres and then ascends steeply through a forest of cork trees eventually reaching the small hamlet of La Mourre.\"\"Image credit: Keith Brooks <\/em>What France does best<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

It's not a long climb but by then I was usually stuffed especially in the summer heat. From La Mourre back to La Garde-Freinet via my \u00e2\u20ac\u0153recovery route\u00e2\u20ac was always very enjoyable. With a final sprint for the La Garde-Freinet prime, it was time to roll back into the village and sit outside David's bar for a Leffe or two.\"\" Some wonderful memories, I hope some of you will maybe have the opportunity to enjoy this amazing area.<\/p>

Keith Brooks, 15 May 2022.<\/p>

<\/p>

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