Annual Bike Ride - Day 5, Part 2

After lunch, we began to encounter the first of many tunnels along the route.  One of the tunnels is a half-mile in length, but fluorescent lighting above made it fairly easy to navigate. 

We were in much different terrain now, with straight sections between tunnels, but not so much obvious flat farming activity - much more mountainous.  The slope still trended generally downward, so riding was very easy for the most part.

Entering One of Our First Tunnels

At one point, Roger who was in front, stopped quickly and warned the rest of us to stop.  He had come abruptly upon some stairs leading steeply down.  We carefully maneuvered ourselves down the stairs – at least they provided a steep bike ramp next to the stairs.  It would have been nice to have had some signage before coming upon the stairs.  We could just see someone who was not paying much attention shooting out into space.

Negotiating the Infamous Stairs

Once we got to the bottom, the reason for the stairs became obvious – there was a closed tunnel end right there, so we had been riding over the top of the tunnel.  Maybe the tunnel cannot be made safe because a cave-in has occurred?

Looking Back at the Closed Tunnel - Stairs are to Right

Note that all the literature on the circuit we rode this week has riders going clockwise - we went counter-clockwise.  If we had gone as recommended, we would have gone up the stairs.  Our choice did produce such an enjoyable, mostly down-hill day that David preferred how we actually did the circuit.

We then were riding along a right-of-way that had been carved out of the cliff.  It provided several good photo opportunities.

Looking Down on a Village from the PLM Route.

Lons-le-Saunier in the Distance from the PLM Route

We then came to the end of the PLM part of the route, where the old Conliege Gare has been made into a house.  There is also some interpretive signage explaining the history of the route and the old Gare.  Apparently, the cost to take the train round-trip Champagnole to Conliege way back when had been 2 Francs 50 centimes.

Conliege Gare - now a Home

Interpretive Plaque at the Conliege Gare

Detail on the Plaque

We then descended into Lons-le-Saunier through suburbs on neighborhood streets.  The decision was made to first head for the Lons Gare so Roger and John could purchase tickets for tomorrow’s train back to Lyon.  Then we would find our accommodations.