Rue de la Sumène and Col de la Besseyre Motorcycle Route in Auvergne

The Rue de la Sumène and Rue de la Mairie road section is located in the Auvergne region of France, within the Massif Central mountain range. This route crosses the Monts du Cantal subrange and passes through the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, a protected natural park known for its volcanic landscapes. The road runs near the village of Le Vigean and follows alongside two rivers, Le Marilhou and Le Mars, for portions of its length. The elevation along the route ranges from 535 meters (1,755 feet) to 1,043 meters (3,422 feet), with the mountain pass Col de la Besseyre reaching 1,050 meters (3,445 feet). An interactive map showing the road section discussed in this article can be found at the end of the article.

The road section spans approximately 31.9 kilometers (19.8 miles) and is primarily asphalt surfaced with a high-quality rating of 4.6 out of 5. It is moderately curvy, offering a riding experience that is neither overly technical nor completely straight. The road width varies, with about 54% of the route being wide enough for comfortable two-way traffic, 30% of medium width, and 15% narrow sections. Most of the road (about 85%) consists of two lanes, while a small portion (around 7%) is single lane. The speed limits vary along the route, with maximum speeds of 50 km/h (31 mph), 80 km/h (50 mph), and 30 km/h (19 mph) depending on the section. Approximately 29% of the road passes through inhabited areas, which requires riders to be attentive to local traffic conditions.

A notable feature of this route is the Col de la Besseyre mountain pass, situated at an elevation of 1,050 meters (3,445 feet). This pass is part of the Monts du Cantal range and provides a significant elevation change along the ride. The road also traverses the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, a regional natural park that protects volcanic landscapes and diverse ecosystems. The park's official website (Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne) offers additional information about the area's natural features and conservation efforts.

The route runs adjacent to two rivers for portions of its length: Le Marilhou and Le Mars. Le Marilhou borders about 13% of the road, extending over approximately 25.4 kilometers (15.8 miles), while Le Mars runs alongside about 7% of the route, covering roughly 40.8 kilometers (25.3 miles). Both rivers ultimately flow into the Sumène. The presence of these waterways adds to the natural environment surrounding the road, contributing to varied terrain and potential microclimates along the ride.

This article focuses on the road section visible on the map below, which highlights the route's key features and geographic context. Riders should be aware that this road is located within a national park and mountainous terrain, which may affect weather conditions and road accessibility. For more detailed information about the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, visit their official website at https://www.parcdesvolcans.fr/. The Massif Central and Monts du Cantal mountain ranges are well documented on Wikipedia (Massif Central, Monts du Cantal).