After an Epic mountain stage the previous day that saw people drag themselves into the hotel in an often delirious state the 5.45am alarm was definitely something I didn’t want to hear. Today - Chambery to Gap.
An hour transfer took us to Chambery and everyone was grateful to hear that there was to be less climbing than yesterday. However, claims that this was in some way a 'rest day' seemed a little far fetched. We were going to cover approximately 179km with 3300m of vertical ascent...
The peloton rolled out at around 8.15 and after a nice long period of flat the stage took on the familiar 'lumpy' feel we were all now familiar with.
The biggest climb of the day was the Col du Noyer (Cat 2), a col with seemingly two ways up.... One short and steep and the other, planned route, long but less steep. As I and two others approached the col we were slightly confused by the signing and decided on our route up, only realising our mistake as we battled our bikes up some very steep inclines on a farm track in barren landscape with the wind buffeting us around. Beautiful nonetheless.
The descent down is supposedly one of the most dangerous roads in France and was very, very steep and wound tightly down the face of the mountain. An absolute blast!
The last little bump of the day took us over the Col de Manse (a col famous for Lance Armstrongs’ cyclocross efforts in a previous Tour). Now, personal hygiene is obviously an important issue on our Tour as all day in bike kit and moving from hotel to hotel every night makes keeping everything clean difficult. Hand washing in the sink can only take you so far. You know, however, that new levels have been reached when an unnamed member of the peloton has a swarm of around 80 flies follow him across the Col de Manse for a full 3km...
Rick even tried to emulate Lance by cutting the corner and riding his clean bike all the way across a ploughed field. Made for a good photo at least. Some good photos will hopefully follow
We arrived in Gap in good time and those that need to replace their bikes have headed out to the local bike shop to see what is available. Hopefully it will be all sorted...
Beard finally joined us again this evening and hopes to be out on his bike tomorrow morning (the ‘downhill’ day). His knee is not totally fixed, but you have got to try, right? With him he brought Williams’ new bike, hopefully it will do the job.
Yesterday’s stage has really taken its toll on people and many struggled today, hopefully tomorrow’s slightly easier profile will give them some much needed respite.
Tonight the Morzine-Avoriaz times were in. I got up in 56mins 30secs, a pretty respectable time considering I already had 185km and some climbs in my legs. Came in in second place, behind the fitness instructor on the Tour...
Good news. The Morzine hotel's insurance will cover all the bikes stolen.
We are half way! At least in the number stages, if not distance or difficulty....
S
Distance: 177km
Av Speed: 21.3km/h
Total Ascent: 2948m
Av HR: 121bpm
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