Tuesday, September 22, 2015
The D902
This is the road that leads from Geneva to the finish in Menton (Nice for us) Every km along the way is marked with route signs of varying types giving the distance to to top and the grade in % for the next kilometer. Six and seven percentages and below bring smiles, over this its a bit harder and when the sign says 10% then there are not to many smiles. Lucky for us most of the grades fall below 9%
The graph in the trip booklet for the day - Bourg Saint Maurice & Saint Michael de Maurienne shows a increasing climb that steps up after Tignes - Val-d'isere
Leaving the bike shop after a night at the rustic Autantic Hotek we rejoin the this road as it departs heading for a choice of cols - the petite Saint Bernard leads to Itlay and our road towards the top of the col de I'Iseran at 2764m
A valley ride of 15kms approx before climbing begins with a number of zig zags We stop at the base of the climb to shed clothing.
Its still cool in the shade as we climb up the valley to arrive eventually at the edge of the lake (lake tigne) overlooked by the tall lady of the lake.
A short 3 kms brings us to the famous ski town of Val-d'isere and lunch (its 1140 and the morning has gone fast although we didn't leave the shop till 0931)
After lunch we ride out of this town of wood and stone (waving at the various film stars gracing the footpaths in their furs - no thats dreaming - they don't come here till later)
Numerous zig zags passing under chairlifts brings us to the top with Natasha leading the way and Joh and I bringing up the rear.
It's cold on top and we don't dally except for the photos with the col sign.
A short distance from the top we stop as the views open up over the lower valley. It's also a chance to release the brakes for a minute and shake the hands out From where we are the roads snakes forever down. . . . . . . . .
More to come later when time allows . . . .
From where we are the roads snakes forever down. . . . . . . . .and down and down
Small towns appear Bessans and then Lansillard. Here our day changes as Natasha decides on a downhill through town to try and get a gel from her pocket and crashes onto her right shoulder. Before I can turn around even a fireman a " pompier " is at her side and his wife on the phone has more arriving within minutes and within 10 mins we have ambulance as well
Transport down the road three kms to Lansbourg, doctor, and X-ray a dislocation means the end of the tour for her
We spend the next 24hrs trying to get insurance sorted to get her to London
Finally Jacques from Briancon comes through and picks her up while we scurry down valley into the evening breeze ( read strong wind) and climb the col de telegraph in the fading light to finish our day in Valloire looking for a hotel and food
It's after the summer season so these things are not so easy but we discover a hotel run by ancient couple who are delighted to have guests. We are the only ones
Breakfast the next morning. But who is the boy half asleep in the hall I see him later tossed out on the street again searching for somewhere warm. The old couple I guess nice enough to let him sleep somewhere warm for the night
Only a day behind with stories But getting there .......
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