Day 3 Saint Gervais -> Bourg Saint Maurice

Sept 11th  Day 3
Saint Gervais -> Bourg Saint Maurice  115km


nous avons commencer notre jour a Saint Gervais après rester chez Agnes la nuit avant.  Elle a preparer un très bon repas avez une plat régionaux, une grande salade vert et un desert formidable.


We had a short cycle thru Megève on our way to the first col of the day  -  col de Saisies.
Before reaching the bottom of the climb we had wee ride thru a Sunday french market full of treasures.

Our trusted guide geoff hunt lost his way and took as through a closed road where we proceeded to carry our bikes over a barricade onto a freshly poured concrete bridge (not so fresh as to leave footprints pas de problem - onward. )

We had a nature break at the bottom of  the col de Saisies where I found  nice sport behind a wooden building. There was a beautiful view which diverted my attention to the stinging nettle which was about to touch my bottom (ouch) - luckily to as just a touch and go.
I surely thought i would be out of the running for the marmot now. (the award for the clumsy or exciting or silly act of the day)

The col de Saisies was a really good warm up for the day [1600m] 15km average 6-8 percent gradient  our decent was quite nice, photo op at mont blanc. Before the town of Hautlauce John found himself going too hot into a very sharp left hand turn and was off his bike by the time I rolled through unable to stop. Luckily Chris was there to assist. 

When they showed up where Geoff and I were stopped we sat a little blood on his forearm and then he opened his jersey showing a red line where he did a little dance with the guard rail and and was lucky not to loose his right nipple.  John is a real trooper.  Smelling of lavender which I poured on his wounds he continued.

Rolling along through Hautlauce then Beaufort then lunch destination above La Lac Roseland via col de Pre.  Funny thing out this col, Geoff never seemed to mention much about it. We found it pretty relentless.

A series of switchbacks of 7 to 10 gradient. Chris ahead, geoff riding with me and John next.  I was about 1/2 km from summit [thank the stars above] headed for the lunch spot and Geoff rode back down to accompany John on the rest of his climb.  What an amazing feat as just riding it once was enough at a time and Geoff rode it double.

I’m at the resturant greeted by Agnes and Chris with a beautiful table that Agnes managed to commandeer for us on a busy Sunday afternoon.  Chris had already had a pastry and fresh water at the table.
Thank you very much!  60 some odd km before lunch - not bad.  And the lunch was the best ever
Geoff and John arrive and we proceed to order desert first because after all life is short - eat desert first N’est Pas?  Best fresh blueberries tarts, chocolate chaud and expresso with jambon and saucisson sandwiches   yum yum

And we are off to a beautiful decent of which I even did ok,  then over the barrage Roseland then again a climb of Cornet de Roseland  which Geoff and Chris tempo rode.

 I again found my self in the middle between them and John.  The descent into Borg Saint Maurice starts wind and open with flowing corners but then drops into a series tight dropping hairpins  - fantastic before rolling out of th vally direct into one of the largest towns in the Haue Savoie Another great day riding

To cap of the day - I was awarded the Marmot award for the stinging nettle attack
By Brandi