A Mad Cycle Race in Grasse

On Sunday 10th November, the latest edition of one of the world's most bonkers cycle races took place - the Grasse Urban Downhill.

40-odd mountain bike riders competed to see who could get from the bd Jeu du Ballon at the top of the old town via its streets, alleys and stairways down to the station at the bottom of the hill......without killing themselves on the way. The old town part of the course looked like this:

From Kiosque magazine, November

and here's the start:

The cyclists had to negotiate the tight alley of Rue des Soeurs, including a ramp to get them over a steep step:

then it was down the Travers des Soeurs, heading straight for someone's front door:

followed by a quick left and right across the rue Droite:

and after a sprint down rue Tracastel, a sharp right turn into the steps of Travers du Barri.

I didn't see the rest of the course, but you can see the whole route from the camera of the winning rider, Tomas Slavik of Czech Republic, who took just over two minutes to complete the course, on YouTube:

Next year, I'll go further down to Traverse de la Gare, where they have some big ramps to make sure the route isn't too easy!

There were a decent number of spectators around, bringing some life to Grasse on a November Sunday afternoon. It was just a shame more of the cafés weren't open. We sat in the Place des Aires, watching the late afternoon light on the roofs of the north eastern end of the square:

and had a nice little cheese, charcuterie and wine at Les Delicatesses de Grasse - well recommended!