Another very hot day was promised, so we were up and off early in an attempt to stay in the cool for longer. The day began with a riverside section along the Doub in the gorge outside Besancon, but then 250 m of climbing at 10% and more, up a quiet back road. This was hard, but it got us up onto the plateau south of Besancon – and into the Jura mountains themselves. The cycling here was perfect – long views of pasture land with brown and white cows with bells, Swiss-style farms, and wooded hilltops.

The back road rolled gently up and down – then descended 150 m or so to the gorge of the river Loue. Here we found a late breakfast in the village of Cleron, where the hotel produced copious bread and jam for hungry cyclists. The village had a beautiful chateau.

But crossing the river meant more climbing – about 450m of it this time, but if the gradient was more sympathetic then the heat was intense. We reached the pass at 800m above sea level – our highest point so far.

The day ‘finished’ at lunchtime, with a lovely salad lunch in the village of Levier, where we have checked into an excellent campsite and had an invigorating swim in the pool. Beer is in order. Tomorrow…..Switzerland!

Helen’s track of the day: Justin Timberlake, Cry Me A River, playing at our breakfast stop and stuck in my head all day.