Monday, September 20, 2010
Megeve to Bourg St Maurice
Waking up to another clear but cool day and smiles on our faces for the ride ahead reminding us of the reasons why we're here. However Pascale walking out of our accommodation after doing battle with the hotel owner over extras that he wanted to charge, will be great fuel for the walkers of 5 this time that where heading back to Chamoinx to the other side for a night in a mountain hut, while we sit on our ass yet again and start heading to Bourg St. Maurice 80k's and 1700m climb later.
So back on the road for a quick, but cold, down ward ride until a re-meet to shed cloths in prep for the 600m climb. Nice grade and easy un-cluttered road with little traffic. Winding through tree clad areas into meadows with the occasional ski lift...... just a lift, no base building or anything else in the middle of nowhere, would be great to see it in winter for sure. Once at the top of cols 'des Sairues it was time to put on the helmet and prepare for the decent.
One thing we are finding out fast, for every up hill we are treated to an ever increasing delight of down hill riding on amazing roads!! This section was once again filled with shreks of laughter and full tucking while trying to pass on the inside. Once into the trees though it made for some very close calls on some of the switch backs as Hamish found out in full lock and side ways.... but out the other side in one piece just a little paler for the experience.
Cup of coffee at the bottom and ready for the 1100m climb towards Cornet de Roseland. A steady hour of 7 and 8 % climb with steep canyon walls either side, found us at the top after scenary that filled the camera like never before.
Now I think we have all cycled in tight decents before but this one would have to be at the edge for any road builders plans. Not much more than a single lane through tight wooded canyon that dropped a staggering 1000 m over a short distance of 16 k's that then emptyed out in our final destination of Bourg St. Maurice.
Well earned beer and food later it's another end to some of the best cycling, I for one, have ever had the chance to do!!
But another thing that we are always learning (should know better by now) is Hunts sly grin when he informs that tomorrow brings a climb of over 2000m and 130k's distance.... dam I dislike this man sometimes...... :)
So back on the road for a quick, but cold, down ward ride until a re-meet to shed cloths in prep for the 600m climb. Nice grade and easy un-cluttered road with little traffic. Winding through tree clad areas into meadows with the occasional ski lift...... just a lift, no base building or anything else in the middle of nowhere, would be great to see it in winter for sure. Once at the top of cols 'des Sairues it was time to put on the helmet and prepare for the decent.
One thing we are finding out fast, for every up hill we are treated to an ever increasing delight of down hill riding on amazing roads!! This section was once again filled with shreks of laughter and full tucking while trying to pass on the inside. Once into the trees though it made for some very close calls on some of the switch backs as Hamish found out in full lock and side ways.... but out the other side in one piece just a little paler for the experience.
Cup of coffee at the bottom and ready for the 1100m climb towards Cornet de Roseland. A steady hour of 7 and 8 % climb with steep canyon walls either side, found us at the top after scenary that filled the camera like never before.
Now I think we have all cycled in tight decents before but this one would have to be at the edge for any road builders plans. Not much more than a single lane through tight wooded canyon that dropped a staggering 1000 m over a short distance of 16 k's that then emptyed out in our final destination of Bourg St. Maurice.
Well earned beer and food later it's another end to some of the best cycling, I for one, have ever had the chance to do!!
But another thing that we are always learning (should know better by now) is Hunts sly grin when he informs that tomorrow brings a climb of over 2000m and 130k's distance.... dam I dislike this man sometimes...... :)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Mont Blanc
Today, is a walking trip for all! Meet at 9am, that's 9 in bold print, for all those cyclists, who might feel that walking is an inferior past time compared to the serious business of Tour de France!!! At 9.10am sharp, we embark into two vehicles towards the poster picture perfect ski town of Chamonix.
To qualify for a group discount,12, not being nearly worthy of the title, we would have to hi jack another 8 unsuspecting tourists quietly digesting their morning degustation of croissant and cafe. Fortunately for them, we were having trouble containing our own troops let alone, organising a well structured pre-meditated attack.
Desbecker? check. Hunt? check. Troops ready and primed to hot foot it in one fell swoop, onto the gondola...... three, two, one shuffle forward and voila, mission accomplished. Everyone of the group with a window position, and a full view of a messy death if a cable were to let rip.
The trip up in the gondola, was, i have to report, without incident, but the view was terrifyingly breathtaking. As the ground rapidly retreated, the majesty of the mountains became unavoidable, and we were all pulled into the thrall of the magnificent skyline.
Released from the potential carnage of gondola wreckage, and consequent BBC World News coverage, (my kids might never have known), we walked alive and well onto a platform and viewing area(complete with shop and cafe) that i can only describe as being completely too civilized for the wild grandeur in our presence.It felt disrespectful, like viewing a lion in a cage or a chained elephant doing tricks, but knowing that only a few steps beyond this 'safe' area, mother nature was in charge, and respect was paramount.
The lookout area was a massive feat accompli,and erected in 1958 by some hardy souls, and for all my misgivings, I would never (not being anything other than a recreational walker)have experienced this wondrous place.So "thankyou" for all of your hardwork. When our bare legs could stand the arctic chill no longer, we re-grouped, well nearly, and made our way to the mid station for the start of the walk to the train. A well-managed track , made for a beautiful traverse across the alpine terraine, a glacier and so much more, (though, the whistling marmots were illusive)! Back in Chamonix, a beer, a picnic and a head count, Robina?check. Di?check. Lyndsay????
To qualify for a group discount,12, not being nearly worthy of the title, we would have to hi jack another 8 unsuspecting tourists quietly digesting their morning degustation of croissant and cafe. Fortunately for them, we were having trouble containing our own troops let alone, organising a well structured pre-meditated attack.
Desbecker? check. Hunt? check. Troops ready and primed to hot foot it in one fell swoop, onto the gondola...... three, two, one shuffle forward and voila, mission accomplished. Everyone of the group with a window position, and a full view of a messy death if a cable were to let rip.
The trip up in the gondola, was, i have to report, without incident, but the view was terrifyingly breathtaking. As the ground rapidly retreated, the majesty of the mountains became unavoidable, and we were all pulled into the thrall of the magnificent skyline.
Released from the potential carnage of gondola wreckage, and consequent BBC World News coverage, (my kids might never have known), we walked alive and well onto a platform and viewing area(complete with shop and cafe) that i can only describe as being completely too civilized for the wild grandeur in our presence.It felt disrespectful, like viewing a lion in a cage or a chained elephant doing tricks, but knowing that only a few steps beyond this 'safe' area, mother nature was in charge, and respect was paramount.
The lookout area was a massive feat accompli,and erected in 1958 by some hardy souls, and for all my misgivings, I would never (not being anything other than a recreational walker)have experienced this wondrous place.So "thankyou" for all of your hardwork. When our bare legs could stand the arctic chill no longer, we re-grouped, well nearly, and made our way to the mid station for the start of the walk to the train. A well-managed track , made for a beautiful traverse across the alpine terraine, a glacier and so much more, (though, the whistling marmots were illusive)! Back in Chamonix, a beer, a picnic and a head count, Robina?check. Di?check. Lyndsay????
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