Just realised I haven't posted any stats with the previous posts ( for anyone interested) - on ride times and total ascents, TSS etc etc. I think I'll document all that in an epilogue post - easily bypassed for the non number geeks out there.
Soooooo, today started with trepidation of the mammoth ride ahead. Grupetto # 1 ( Di, Zarnia + myself) left early ~ 7.30 ish from La Grave to head back up the Lautouret.It was a stunning morning, not a cloud in the sky but quite chilly ( given we started at 1500m). We took it very slow to let brekky digest then 10km later hit the start if the Col de Galiber which climbs to 2800m; evident by the snow banked up on the roadside :-)
This was not too bad a climb, switchbacks to break up the gradient and a detour avoiding a tunnel ( thank god!! ) before the last km.
Quick refill and extra clothes on then down the long windy descent. Brrrr. A stop to disrobe then start the shorter climb up the Col de Telegraphe which was busy, full of motorbikes and other cyclists and we stopped for a coffee at the top. Looks like the TDF weill be passing through here as there was a large straw man on a bike perched at the top with some TDF signs.
A quick fix of my squeaking brakes from Ian ( super support crew) and then back down, did not enjoy this descent much as i couldnt seem to focus or concentrate and the road was bumpy in bits but made it down in one piece, the 3 of us regrouped and headed along through Madone and a few other villages in a big valley which was baking HOT and felt like a slog, especially the climb up the Col de Madeleine. We stopped to buy a cold drink in the only place open in one of the villages ( as it was siesta time!) and eventually after what felt like an eternity, we reached the base of the Col d 'Iseran which was ~ 18km of climbing.
Pretty tough after all the riding we had done prior ( 110km in 2200 ascent already). Beautiful scenery and plenty of switchbacks, with the air cooling off every 1km.
It was a random miss mash of mental strategies helping me get up here - spotted 5 marmots on the ascent and decided that they would be y spirit animal for this trip, given how I felt earlier in the week it was easy to identify with a short round furry creature darting around the Haute Alpes ;-)
One of the km markers said the next km was average 10 %. Jeeeeezus. Just pretended that i was halfway up Mt Pleasant road, only 3 km to go etc etc.
Made it to the top, flanked by snow banks and ski lifts then it was a 17km ascent down to Val d'sere which fortunately was in the sun and the time passed by looking at the signs for all the ski runs. It was pretty fresh down in the valley however so Di and i stopped to get a hot drink then a few of the others caught us and we set off for St. Foy-Tarentaise which was was ~20 km away. A few hairy moments through tunnels; one with a one way due to roadworks which did not accommodate for cycling speed saw life flash before our eyes ...but then, as if by magic, Ian appeared with the van and rescued us to take us the last 15 km home ( and thank god - meaty up hill for over 5km to the chalet ).
We arrived in weary and dirty ( well, I was anyway - covered in chain grease) after 7pm. Ride time for me that day was 8h 50 mins. 3700m ascent. By far the most EPIC day of riding ever.
"Rest" day the next day, YAY. I really need to get some laundry done!!
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