Saint Michael de Maurienne -> Briancon 61km

Saint Michael de Maurienne -> Briancon 61km
col de telegraphe 1. 570m and col du Galibier

The Ride Today
Turn right as you leave the hotel and start climbing - the last instructions - how right they were - straight into 8% grade - it eased a little to 6%, and we rode up the Telegraph mostly as a group - Hamish a little off the pace but much closer after a few rides under the belt. A steady 10kms per hr climb for 12kms.

Surprised to see the Italian Stallion (or pony) and his sidekick Jeff T not there, but figured we would see them at the top.
The view down to Saint Michael really demonstrated the vertical climb behind - thank good ness we could not see the way ahead.

The day had been set up for a couple days as a battle royal with Jef D looking to take everyone on for a king of the mountain title - but this not to be with the two of the front deciding not to play the game.

From the summit - really a shoulder it is a pleasant 5km descent to Valloire


After the plateau Valloire, the road climbs up the valley before turning right and zig- zaging up onto the high wild country leading to the pass Col du Galibier at 2645m

Steady tempo riding in groups of two, or one soon had everyone at the top - mostly ahead of the other group on the road - a 12 strong German group. Tom got the award of the latern rouge - although it had been contested by Hamish for while.

A pleasant lunch at the Col de Lautaret and a swoop down the vlley road to Briancon