Pedals & Peaks

Finally a break in the rain here in the French Alps, we headed off on our final ride in the Marienne Valley before we head towards Geneva, to fly back home. Dave as always, plots the route and what a great ride it was.  Col du Mollard, a climb of 19.2km in length with an average of 5.5%, nothing too hard, through beautiful green canopy, narrow quiet road, no traffic. Switchback central, right from the start, we were heading up, a total of 56 switchbacks, (Dave counts them) very evenly graded, until the trees open up onto Alpine meadows, with a small ski resort in the distance.  Being our last ride here, Dave was in fine form, climbing a steel bike but couldn't reach the seat and couldn't pass up an opportunity to poke his head and hands out of this hand carved fellow. Weather was predicted to rain again from midday, so it was a short stop before we donned our jackets for the descent. On one side of the Col, brilliant blue skies, then to the north, heavy clouds. The descent dow...

Well the day finally arrived, the famous Alp d'Huez climb.  All the weeks of our overseas cycling was in preparation of finishing with this climb.  And it did not disappoint. In fact, I loved it.  Butterflies in the stomach as I ate my breakfast and set off in lovely sunshine.   At 13.2km in length, not too long so perfect for me, give me confidence knowing I won't fade and shrivel as energy drains like water down a drain, on those long 20km or so climbs. The first section, 1 to 3 kilometres are hard, long straight roads that head upwards.  13% kilometre average markers remind me to take it easy, don't push too hard.  I don't look up ahead, that creates negative thoughts, but just focus, following close to Davids wheel.  It eases off a little after 3km, down to 8% then continues just about every kilometre at 9% averages.    We happen to coincide our ride today, with the annual running of the Alp d'Huez event, in support of current and past Fr...

Pouring rain for several days.  Not much to do but read and wait for a break in the weather.  Col de la Madeleine was my last 'must do' famous climbs to complete on this trip.  We rise early as the break in the weather will only last till midday.   The climb starts in La Chambre, a total of 19km in length with an average of 8.2%.  The switchbacks start fairly quickly and you must find your groove and settle into a rhythm.  It's warm with no wind, though we are shaded most of the time from the sun, which is good.  For over ten kilometres, the roadside kilometre average gradient markers are 10%, then 9%, then 10%, then 9%, absolutely no let up. Nothing much to do, but just keep going, at this stage I am feeling pretty good, happy with myself.  I don't stop, switchback after switchback, no photos today. After the 12km marker, it eases to 6%, then 8%, a couple of 7's, then 8% till the finish.  It's unrelenting. The trees fade into the distance as...

After three solid days of travel, including collecting our daughter Gabi from Turin and spending the night in Chamonix together, which was just lovely but tiring.  What an outdoor place, awesome to see so many adventurers, of all ages.  Unfortunately Gabi suffered food poisoning and was vomiting during the night, but alas, I was dead tired, didn't hear anything.  We saw her off the following morning, in pouring rain and chilly conditions. Waved goodbye as she embarked on her ten way solo walk circumnavigating around Mont Blanc, walking through France, Italy and Switzerland, hiking over 10,000 metres of elevation, over 170 kilometres in length.  Twas a bit emotional, all of us. On our drive back to our accommodation, we drove across the Col du Galibier.  Wow a monster of a mountain that connects the southern and northern Alps, a climb of 34.5km in length, average of 7%, but it's those last kilometres in the lunar landscape, that are super steep.  Phew, glad ...

Nine weeks into our trip, we planned a recovery week discovering the amazing Balcony roads of the Vercors.  And we needed it, I was particularly tired after two giant climbs 48 hours apart last week. We have two weeks left and our aim is to climb four remaining Tour de France climbs, on our bucket list. Col d'Izoard, Col du Galibier, Alp d'Huez and finishing with Col de la Madeleine. This area was recommended to us and its location ideal, close to Grenoble, gateway to the French Alps. So this week we were simply exploring, seeing the stunning views with shorter relaxing rides. The Vercors National Park is known as the pre-alps, with multiple cliff roads, tiny villages, limestone fortresses, valleys and gorges to explore.  Day 1, we set off on an overcast day towards the historical and beautiful, Pont-en-Royans, through lush green orchards and quiet country back roads, before too long we are in amongst the large limestone cliffs. Pont-en-Royans is located at the entrance to Gor...

The lunar landscape that is the legendary Mont Ventoux, located in the Provence region of southern France, an area famous for lavender fields, white nougat and cherries. Nicknamed the 'Beast of Provence', Ventoux is an epic climb on any cyclists bucket list, used 18 times in the Tour de France. Though after today, no amount of encouragement will entice me to ride this mountain again. (well maybe lots of money). According to Google, the wind blows at over 90km per hour for 240 days of the year.  Today there was no wind. Standing alone, Ventoux dominates the entire region, looming on the horizon from all directions.  The top of the mountain is bare limestone, void of vegetation, so looks like snow from a distance. David choose's a route, a nice warmup as we climb up to Gorges de la Nesque with stunning views, its humid and black clouds are threatening, despite the weather forecast for rain tomorrow.  We had trouble finding accommodation in the main town of Bedoin, but lucke...