climbing to the first col d’Izoard

After enjoying our best dinner of the tour last night at the home of friends of Jeff and Robina’s who live near Briancon, we headed off again on our bikes from Hotel Edelweiss at about 8.50am. It was a bit cooler this am and most of the riders had arm warmers and jackets on to start the day.This was said to be a 2 col day, each of over 20kms and over 1000 vertical metres of climbing. From the hotel we started climbing to the first col d’Izoard within about 1 minute, so this was a good wakeup call .I’zoard is described in the French Government Tourist Office literature as one of three of the 16 major cols on our route that are “unclassified(very difficult)” the others being Galibier (yesterday) and Iseran.
The peloton very quickly broke up as we all made our way up through some absolutely stunning and remarkable landscapes. Very stark and almost desert like after we passed through the forest. Much like Lindis or Central Otago in places- very little vegetation , great views looking down the valley and into the craggy tops above, and strange rock formations.The climb got steeper and harder as we went higher, and most of the extra clothing started to be shed as the temp rose.
I wasnt there at the col when the leaders summitted so can only speculate as to who was first. I can say that it wasnt me and that in fact I called up the everfaithful Alice to pick me up just near the Napolean Refuge and drive me up the last 200 m or so. Conquering both Galabier and Telegraphe yesterday had taken the sting out of my old legs for today’s effort.
The girls Pascale Kath and Di all went off for a walk for 2-3 hours again while the rest of us toiled away on our mangles- they seem to be having a more fun and a cruisier time on this trip than I am. Maybe I should be with them.
Back to the bikers. We all regrouped at the Col for the obligatory photos .There was no cafe open there so the peloton took off almost immediately on the fast 30 km descent into the next valley.A short stop to regroup and straight back in te direction of the second col for the day Col de Vars. But surprise surprise. There was a major diversion en route first, around a few kms of road works. Being in a tight little valley, any diversion can go only one way. Yes straight up the valley wall on a very small ancient side road. This unexpected additional third climb for the day very quickly assumed the name Col du Diversion. Once this was negotiated the peloton regrouped once again at the foot of the Vars.It was becoming very hot by now. Jeff D was down to bare top and much water was being consumed and bottles reloaded from Alice’s car.
Eventually the bikers dribbed and drabbed their way onto the Vars summit, lead by Mark G ,and a very competitive Geoff H finishing together.Some were looking a little the worse for wear at this stage, and to my observation this included Lindsay w and Jeff T who had both done 3 cols yesterday,(Telegraphe, Galabier and Alpe-d’Huez) while the rest of us did 2 .It was cold and windy on the Vars Col, and the weather seemed to be closing in ahead of the predicted bad weather from tomorrow. Jackets back on. And then the peloton rode together down the 30 km descent to Barcelonnette at a very good clip, and perhaps the first time that we have all ridden together as a peloton for such a distance. It felt good.
Barcelonnette is a really cute little town and our hotel is right in the Town Square. It was apparently so named because it was once owned by a wealthy Spanish Baron, who brought a lot of Spanish people here, many of whom then moved on to Mexico for a time about 1800 and made their fortunes and returned here. There is a significant Mexican influence- adobe houses- mexican food on the menus and mexican restaurants etc.
We have been riding in parallel with a
similar group of German riders for some days, and they are in town here tonight too, but we have not seen them. Thet are said to be planning to ride all the way to Nice tomorrow- seems excessive- we are taking 2 more days .
Final comments-Mark was awarded todays Col du Colombiere award for extreme helpfulness to his friends-Geoff H earned himself the dummy of the day award for falling off his bike-Hamish and Jenny tonight didnt repeat last night’s effort with the Chartreuse they bought from the Monks-Robina and Jeff were first to bed and Jeff Turner Hamish Jenny and Alice were last ie apart from mewhen I get there in about 1 minute
by Tom