Day 8 Finale
It was always going to be a long hot hard ride back to Lyon, just short of 180km with 2 sizeable climbs, one being the Col du Grand Colombier.
The ride started off to the foot of the climb, different scenery to the previous alpine stages. The Colombier was steep and fairly narrow, tough, very little traffic, and tree covered. Clas shot to the summit as a free spirit ( no competition), only to rewarded with a medal form the locals who must have thought he was Tail End Charlie on their local race. He did not wear it to dinner, only had t shirts. The descent was 19% gradient, would never have been able to get up that side. Then the second climb delivered us to lunch under the trees, it was such a welcome sight. Then we had more climbing and descent into scorching temperatures and head winds. I hid in the back of the pace line hurting, but not wanting to grovel back on my own. Typical of Steven, I hope he has a good race in a few weeks, otherwise he will need a very good excuse. Arriving at the hotel I felt like a potato crisp, I had long ago finished the last of the hot water in my bottles. We had a very nice beer in the cool foyer. Everyone rolled in looking exhausted but content. Dinner was a fun though fairly subdued event in a large local restaurant in downtown Lyon. An early start tomorrow for the train to Paris, and flight home.
Day 7 Two and a half climbs towards Mont Blanc
After a restless night, because of the oppressive heat and street noise, I felt pretty ropey. I decided to drag myself down for a swim. The cool water helped, and we prepared for the start. We were joined with some British triathletes, Rachel who has been top 10 twice at Kona. She seemed too nice and sweet to be so tough. We rolled aound a boring hour on an annoying bicycle trail with frequent gates, but finally started a tough little climb to the first drink stop. It was good to catch up with Piet from a previous camp, he is living local and rebuilding a chalet. The ride along the river was pretty tough and he decided to back off home, you can’t cheat your body, and he hadn’t ridden for some time. Russell and I climbed the Col du Pre, a narrow switch back road up some sound of music style green meadows, people out cutting grass and green meadows, cows with bells. Over the side there was a dammed lake continuing up the Roseland, we descended, Scott managing to rear end and SCRATCH the best looking car we saw that day, a brand new Audi.
I felt slow as we entered the Col de Saisies, so took it quietly, though it was very picturesque with a backdrop of Mont Blanc, so I stopped to take pictures. After lunch a the top the descent was stunning in a deep gorge between cool and searing heat. The roll out along the lake was plain nasty, and I tried to yell at Steven buy my mouth was dry and seared , so only a croak came out. There was another hill on that side of the Lake, Scott and Clas took off, but I couldn’t get into the small chain ring, must have stretched the cables, I felt bad as the group split. Back at the hotel there was a rush on beers, and our model / receptionist was kept busy. Dinner was again to a very high standard, afterwards Jacek led us to the outdoor bar to keep us entertained. A great day all around!!
