Vars to Nice

The wonderful thing about riding your bike through the Alps with full support, is that when you reach day five broken in body and soul, you know that there are people there to see you through the final 200km.  The guys at GMP10 could not have been more lovely:  Ben accompanied me on the descents that I was most scared of, Sandy provided a steady and speedy wheel wherever it was needed and Mark kept telling me that I was floating up climbs like an angel.  The other benefit of travelling with Mark & Co. was the local knowledge. Half way up the col de Cayolle the group paused for a coffee in the most picturesque Alpine village I've ever seen.

 

I found that I relied heavily both on Sam's wheel and on my Garmin on this last day.  I'd deliberately kept my heart rate low the day before so that I might stand a chance of getting though these last kilometres.  The Cayolle is stunning and although the gradient never approaches the severity of some of the other climbs I'd done, I was relieved when the 30km ascent was over.

 

From the summit it was a fast downhill to lunchtime and then a speedy few hours into Nice on Sandy and Ben's wheels.  The last climb of the trip was an 8km ascent to Aspremont just outside of the city.   We all raced up it and arrived in Nice tired and happy cyclists.

Valloire to Vars

Starting early in the day may well be the best way to ascend the Galibier. Certainly the runners I saw taking part in the "Course de Galibier" seemed to think so. Running up mountains takes real grit. Cycling up them is challenge enough.

This became my favourite climb of the tour.  Others are certainly prettier, but I liked this one for its switchbacks and lunar quality.  The descent was tough and for a cautious rider, even a little scary.

From the bottom of the valley it was a ride towards the Izoard.  This is a really attractive ascent and the road snakes up the mountain, sheltered by pines almost to the top.

This was a day of three climbs, with the final one taking us up to a refuge above the ski town of Vars.  30km of ascending in temperatures in excess of 30 degress centigrade was a new experience.  All three cols were incredibly beautiful but differed in their character: the Galibier is barren and precipitous, the Izoard is verdant by comparison and finally the col du Var, long and open to the skies.  All three are unforgetable.

Col bagging: Huez to Valloire

I have complete respect for anyone who has ridden the Marmotte. You are incredible human beings.

 

I love the riding and especially the climbing.  It is bloody hard work but I am enjoying every minute.