Col d'Izoard

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 we won't have time for that one.

 

Our ride today started in brilliant sunshine, warming up on small country roads that run along side busy highways.  Col d'Izoard is a popular climb, 19.2km in length at 6.1% average and its summit, is positioned on a lunar landscape, so we were keen to ride it. Climbing to 2,360 metres, by far the highest elevation we have done this trip. 

Unfortunately, being Sunday there was every motorbike out on this glorious day, all trying to ride like Valentino Rossi, so the road was very busy. The roads in France are not in great condition and this one was no exception.  Lots of cracks and potholes to keep you focused to avoid.

I really struggled, there's no two ways about it.  Whether it was the days off, the travelling or the constant headache I had as a companion, who know's. The grind is unrelenting, through pine forests which eventually opened up onto Alpine terrain, lush and green, a mix of clover and wild flowers. Dave waited several times, I told him to go ahead, but the gentleman he is, stayed with me through my moaning and heavy breathing.  The little kilometre banners pass me by, I keep eyeing the average 8.2% for the next kilometre, 'that was the last km average, how many times have I seen that', I ask myself. 

I had several stops to elevate the muscles, which always gives you a little boost, makes you feel good for about ten seconds, before the routine grind starts again.  As well as the constant motorbikes, there was plenty of riders, some flying past like I was a flag pole, others like me, grinding away. I had real difficulty to concentrate on anything, my mind seemed so doughy. 

Eventually I pass the five kilometre sign to the summit and my mind says, 'you can stop now Ang, no shame in that'

But by some miracle, my legs keep going, detached from my brain. Switchbacks come thick and fast now as the road snakes its way to the top. Slow for sure, but I made it.  Stunning 360 degree views and the ham and cheese roll I carried all the way, tastes really good.  Lots of riders around, young and oldies like us.  Great to see, as we sit in the sun on the warm rockwall, soaking up the rays.