Sat 15th Day 7
By JR
Forecast for the top of Col d’Izord
Rain 57- 72% chance with 10-20mm expected
Temp at the top of d’Izord predicted 7 degrees to 1 degree
Wind forecast 24km
It was a day of roughly 50kms up and 63 kms down
A reduced crew, some taking a rest day as the weather was not our side. A guaranteed soaking
2 major cols Col d”Izord 2360m and Col de Vars 2019m making this a HARD CORE day out. A lunch in the middle at Guillestre saved our arses and 5 pizzas woofed down as the rain dumped outside.
We stumbled out , full bellies and into 20kms of up. It was a FART FEST for some and the small team (Dave, Leslie, JR, Dallas and Geoff) worked together to grovel over the second col of the day. Soaked (some of us) we ripped up the wet downhill.
As one ‘express train, numbed we charged into Barcelonette.
Approx 5 hrs in the saddle.
A day of rain, steaming heat, frozen downhills, aching ups and 5 pizzas that saved all of us
Climbing speeds are about 10kms hr - so about 4 hrs of cilmbing
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
100 METES FROM THE SAVOY - TURN RIGHT AND CLIMB
Sounds easy enough - but what’s ahead is a bit different than we are used to in NZ.
The col du Telegraph and
then the Col du Galibier
Right from the start the gradient ramps up and after a initial burst from leigh it is the ‘drugs free’ Leslie who slides away. (we sent her test away and still awaiting the results)
She claims it was dua cafe at breakfast, JR (John Raymond says it was because he did say good morning , or some such thing.
Whatever she is gone burger - soon out of sight and mind.
The thick forest and twists and turns hide her from sight and she is finally spotted just cresting the col - some 2 kms at least in from of us (we all decide we want some of whatever it was that she took)
Meanwhile the peleton increased by two as Di and Lindsay descend from the Telegraph to join us and we climb steadily to the first col of the day . Out to the right views of the snow covered tops of the Croix de Tetes.
Telegraph is not really a true col - more like a bump on the way up Galibier. Jackets on for the 5kms descent to Valloire, and we still freeze going down.
Another big cycle group is getting together in Valloire - must be thirty of them (in orange so must be a dutch group)
Straight in Valloire, the real work begins, 18 kms to go. It’s steep straight from town but it soon flattens. Leigh is again miles away but comes back as it steepens, and we are all entertained by the French Mirage jets targeting a orange smoke flare further up the valley. The army communications units are present in two or three places.
Dallas, Dave and myself climb steadily with Leigh as the road turns fro the first time and starts to zig zag up a face to reach the upper valley. Leigh plays with us - surging away- of course we follow. He does that three or four times - (just because he said - still trying to find some legs - yeah right)
Soon the bottom gear falls out and he is gone, and it is just Dave and I moving on towards the top with Dallas back a little.
The top is in sight but still a long way away as we work our way up the right shoulder, before the next to last series of switch backs
The fight jets are back and they dive at our height down the valley towards the remote valley they have targeted
the final series of turns - and ahead guys are getting of their bikes - stopping with heads held low. Dave urges me on as the last 100meters seems hard and we ride together over the col.
The others arrive quickly, but it is cold and so we descend to the cafe down in the sun and watch streams of bikes going both ways. Some ride up from this side, get their photo taken and return for coffee.
The sun soon warms the group up and the shop benefits from sales of named items.
A Barry puncture slows the descent to col de Lautaret and some of us take the chance to lie in the sun and catch two mins of sleep.
So passes the Col du Galibier - the mythical passage that the tour of France has used 53 times.
The road from Lautaret towards Briancon sits at 6% gradient - fast enough to tuck and not so fast to brake for corners. At 65kms a hr the distance it disappearing fast.
A small regroup a train of riders soon brings us o Briancon and the hotel
Another great sunny day in the Alps
The col du Telegraph and
then the Col du Galibier
Right from the start the gradient ramps up and after a initial burst from leigh it is the ‘drugs free’ Leslie who slides away. (we sent her test away and still awaiting the results)
She claims it was dua cafe at breakfast, JR (John Raymond says it was because he did say good morning , or some such thing.
Whatever she is gone burger - soon out of sight and mind.
The thick forest and twists and turns hide her from sight and she is finally spotted just cresting the col - some 2 kms at least in from of us (we all decide we want some of whatever it was that she took)
Meanwhile the peleton increased by two as Di and Lindsay descend from the Telegraph to join us and we climb steadily to the first col of the day . Out to the right views of the snow covered tops of the Croix de Tetes.
Telegraph is not really a true col - more like a bump on the way up Galibier. Jackets on for the 5kms descent to Valloire, and we still freeze going down.
Another big cycle group is getting together in Valloire - must be thirty of them (in orange so must be a dutch group)
Straight in Valloire, the real work begins, 18 kms to go. It’s steep straight from town but it soon flattens. Leigh is again miles away but comes back as it steepens, and we are all entertained by the French Mirage jets targeting a orange smoke flare further up the valley. The army communications units are present in two or three places.
Dallas, Dave and myself climb steadily with Leigh as the road turns fro the first time and starts to zig zag up a face to reach the upper valley. Leigh plays with us - surging away- of course we follow. He does that three or four times - (just because he said - still trying to find some legs - yeah right)
Soon the bottom gear falls out and he is gone, and it is just Dave and I moving on towards the top with Dallas back a little.
The top is in sight but still a long way away as we work our way up the right shoulder, before the next to last series of switch backs
The fight jets are back and they dive at our height down the valley towards the remote valley they have targeted
the final series of turns - and ahead guys are getting of their bikes - stopping with heads held low. Dave urges me on as the last 100meters seems hard and we ride together over the col.
The others arrive quickly, but it is cold and so we descend to the cafe down in the sun and watch streams of bikes going both ways. Some ride up from this side, get their photo taken and return for coffee.
The sun soon warms the group up and the shop benefits from sales of named items.
A Barry puncture slows the descent to col de Lautaret and some of us take the chance to lie in the sun and catch two mins of sleep.
So passes the Col du Galibier - the mythical passage that the tour of France has used 53 times.
The road from Lautaret towards Briancon sits at 6% gradient - fast enough to tuck and not so fast to brake for corners. At 65kms a hr the distance it disappearing fast.
A small regroup a train of riders soon brings us o Briancon and the hotel
Another great sunny day in the Alps
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Day 4 Dallas Mclister
We headed out of a saint Maurice we're we had rested well yesterday my legs were a bit sensitive after 4 rides in Thonon les Bain .But thanks to the one winged warrior Jeff Desbecker call a spade a spade and shit stinky who supplied me and Baz with protein powder which we proceeded to over dose on last night .We were feeling dangerous so Baz dressed appropriately
Sporting his fastest out fit full Ferrari colours.
Before the riding started today dramas began early ,Jonathan has lost his wallet and passport he was awarded the pukeko (outstanding ability to stand out ) for sweating a lot so it's appropriate he's has a pukeko on his helmet as we head off .Desbecker direct traffic as we get organised to leave.Ive been getting my jeffs mixed up I'm not sure who is on the tour and who is the tour organiser.
We have 2 ks to warm up then the 48 k of climbing 2000 m to the top of Col de I'iseran altitude 2754m the plan is to coffee at Val-d'Isere . Dave Drew and Geoff our fearless leader half wheel each other in to town fighting it out to be the alfa male in the group and take all the women. Me and Baz aren't sure what they will do with them . It's An amazing town with impressive mountain hotels and homes after coffee we have 17 km to go and 1000 m of climbing at altitude .
My trusty Garmin tells me it's 14 deg but the wind chill is at least 20 deg a hot topic amongst the crew what to wear how many layers. The climb is more of the same 8 - 12% but the lungs are burning and my heart is trying to escape through my mouth .Me and Jr are out front cruising soaking up the amazing scene playing out in front of us. It may be the shortage of oxygen or the sense of achievement but its like riding in heaven truly amazing surrounding and feeling .
My back start to tighten so it time to stand up also I feel the need to ride alone click a few gears shoot ahead of Jr cruising along then hear a bike behind have a quick look but don't see the name tag on the jacket (every one has a white coat so Dave the school teacher has written his name on the tag to the amusement of all we suspect his undies are also named) click some gears to drop JR but he's still there
I'm impressed look back to see Dave Drew undisputed owner of the poker dot jersey . I tell him to power up as I'm diggin the vibe alone style .5 k to go to the top and Jr is back another quick look click a few gears blast to the top at 20 k/hr hurting big time but exhilarated .
Arrive to the top hide from the wind quick as it insanely cold once you stop .to my surprise mr hunt pulls up not Jr . The crew role in one at a time grins on faces steamy bellowing from there blow holes .Last but by no means least Robina a powerful woman who has earned an unmeasurable amount of my respect .
Then it's time to layer up 321 go we plummet down the smooth roads that encourage you to lean your bike over more push the limits of your tires and ability.But there a down side the faster you go the colder it is.
From the bottom we have 60 k of down to our next destination Saint Michael de Maurienne but the cycle god Are not playing fair and we have a good head wind.on the way,
Mike decides to remodel some French roads with his ass by going for a slide . He's a bit black and blue but ok. On the way Leigh tries for the fourth time I've seen to become a car grill his life long dream !
We hit our destination a hot shower and me and my roomy restart our conversation about what we will buy our wife's for letting us come on this trip. Barry is trying to talk me into a pearl necklace but that sounds expensive and we haven't seen any pearl shops ! Sent from my iPad
Before the riding started today dramas began early ,Jonathan has lost his wallet and passport he was awarded the pukeko (outstanding ability to stand out ) for sweating a lot so it's appropriate he's has a pukeko on his helmet as we head off .Desbecker direct traffic as we get organised to leave.Ive been getting my jeffs mixed up I'm not sure who is on the tour and who is the tour organiser.
We have 2 ks to warm up then the 48 k of climbing 2000 m to the top of Col de I'iseran altitude 2754m the plan is to coffee at Val-d'Isere . Dave Drew and Geoff our fearless leader half wheel each other in to town fighting it out to be the alfa male in the group and take all the women. Me and Baz aren't sure what they will do with them . It's An amazing town with impressive mountain hotels and homes after coffee we have 17 km to go and 1000 m of climbing at altitude .
My trusty Garmin tells me it's 14 deg but the wind chill is at least 20 deg a hot topic amongst the crew what to wear how many layers. The climb is more of the same 8 - 12% but the lungs are burning and my heart is trying to escape through my mouth .Me and Jr are out front cruising soaking up the amazing scene playing out in front of us. It may be the shortage of oxygen or the sense of achievement but its like riding in heaven truly amazing surrounding and feeling .
My back start to tighten so it time to stand up also I feel the need to ride alone click a few gears shoot ahead of Jr cruising along then hear a bike behind have a quick look but don't see the name tag on the jacket (every one has a white coat so Dave the school teacher has written his name on the tag to the amusement of all we suspect his undies are also named) click some gears to drop JR but he's still there
I'm impressed look back to see Dave Drew undisputed owner of the poker dot jersey . I tell him to power up as I'm diggin the vibe alone style .5 k to go to the top and Jr is back another quick look click a few gears blast to the top at 20 k/hr hurting big time but exhilarated .
Arrive to the top hide from the wind quick as it insanely cold once you stop .to my surprise mr hunt pulls up not Jr . The crew role in one at a time grins on faces steamy bellowing from there blow holes .Last but by no means least Robina a powerful woman who has earned an unmeasurable amount of my respect .
Then it's time to layer up 321 go we plummet down the smooth roads that encourage you to lean your bike over more push the limits of your tires and ability.But there a down side the faster you go the colder it is.
From the bottom we have 60 k of down to our next destination Saint Michael de Maurienne but the cycle god Are not playing fair and we have a good head wind.on the way,
Mike decides to remodel some French roads with his ass by going for a slide . He's a bit black and blue but ok. On the way Leigh tries for the fourth time I've seen to become a car grill his life long dream !
We hit our destination a hot shower and me and my roomy restart our conversation about what we will buy our wife's for letting us come on this trip. Barry is trying to talk me into a pearl necklace but that sounds expensive and we haven't seen any pearl shops ! Sent from my iPad
The strava links from Dallas
Click on the link to open his dashboard
http://www.strava.com/dashboard
http://www.strava.com/dashboard
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Day 3 – Flumet to Bourg Saint Maurice
A gentle roll downhill from the hotel for a
kilometre or so was the warm-up for the day then we were straight into the
first climb, the Col les Saisies (1432m). This was a 10km climb between 7 and 8
percent most of the way. The day started fresh and after the first half of the
climb got even cooler as we reached the summit. By now the routine of throwing
on another couple of layers for the descent had been fine-tuned and we were
off.
The downhills are proving to be very
popular and the usual suspects hit the front and made the most of a very good
road surface and some open and fast flowing corners.
Then it was through the truly authentic and
unspoiled mountain village of Beaufort and we started the 20km climb to the
Cormet de Roselend (1968m). The scenery just got better and better as we gained
in elevation, with fantastic views not only of the gorge but also the valley
below. We stopped for lunch after 11km and thoroughly enjoyed the pre-ordered
hot soup and a warm café, and from here it was a very scenic final 9km to the
top.
Again, we threw on as many warm clothes as we could find in the support
vehicles and it was a 20km dive to the valley below. A top speed of 103kph was
recorded and the smiles on everyones faces at the bottom told the story of
another awesome descent.
The corners started off as open flowing with a very good road surface and we rode easy, until Dallas decided to put the pressure on and took a flyer of the front. We all stepped up of course, and the road changed to a small single lane with the occasional white drop of paint in the middle. It dropped down the side of a a very deep gorge twisting and turning - the corners very sharp and falling away below the front wheel. Dallas kept applying the pressure and Leigh, Dave, Geoff, Mike and JR enjoyed the ride. Some hard over on one side while others had the bike laid over the other way. Only one car interrupted this free fall down the valley towards Bourg Saint Maurice.
From here it was a short ride through town to the
hotel and some much-needed relaxation.
We were very fortunate to be in the home
town of Domonique and she invited us to her home for a kir aperitif before
dinner. It was great to see the inside of one of the many thousands of chalets
we see every day scattered throughout the mountains and enjoy the very warm
French hospitality.
From here it was out to the restaurant her
daughter works in for dinner and refuel for the long 48km climb that will take
us up to 2764m on the Col de I’Iseran tomorrow.
Day 2 story from Barry
A gloomy and wet start from Samoens, brief ride down the valley and a slow circuit(s) of Clues as Geoff tried to find the start of Colombiere. Excitement levels rise as we see the sign showing a 1613m Col . Group stays together for most of the climb and split as we get closer and the weather closes in
My spies tell me that the leading group comprised Dangerous Dallas, Dateless Dave, with Compass Geoff tucked in behind. JR was closely follows by Lesley, she does that all day!
Mike then appeared out of the mist and Barry steered Jonathan to the top guided by a combination of grunts and cow bells. Lee- the Pro manfully rode with Robina
We had great help from our drivers Agnes and Dominic brilliantly directed by Jeff- alias one- wing.
Brief regroup at cafe then great downhill before a short ! climb of 566m to the top of Col des Aravis then 10k downhill to Flume-plus a 4k uphill to the hotel!
No sports channels here so had to reply on Laura's updates via viber to get the great result for the Americas Cup.
The dummy award was passed on to Dallas for trying to head plant a wall on the wrong side of a tunnel road.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
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