Last day updated with a few pics

101km, 2091m of ascent

So the last day was a real interesting one. I don't think any of us - including the fabulous John and Mary - had any idea quite what to expect or how to feel.

It was a day for relief, elation, excitement and some disappointment that it was over so quickly.

We set off from Saint Martin-Vésubie towards Nice with a few nerves as we still needed to bag 4 cols to hit our target.

We were now close to the coast and the mountains were no longer the imposing 3,000m plus of the earlier days but were none-the-less still challenging and the Col de Turini was no exception.

Yet again we were blown away by the beauty of the mountain and the long climbing roads through hand carved tunnels and precipitous drops over low stone walls. We climbed 1000m to crest the col, took the obligatory photographic evidence and espresso before commencing the descent.

Now if you have followed the blog or checked out FaceBook - you would know that Jim and I have had a few wet days, forced extra climbs and other minor setbacks to contend with and considering I had a dose of the 'my stomach will not take another energy bar, gel or drink' it was our time for a little good fortune - and as we descended we hit a minor incline (a flattening of the road really) to bag the Col de l'Orme.

We had a little more work to bag the Col de Braus however before setting off for our last col - the Col de Castillon.

Now here the good fortune wavered. We took a photo at the beginning of a road signposting the col and took another photo at the other end signposting the col back the way we came. However we searched - on Sat Nav, Garmin or Map - we could not find where we could have missed the col!

It took much deliberation - should we accept that we had achieved our goal - should we try and search for the sign again!

In the end it was a sense of symmetry or poeticism that prevailed.

On the map we spotted the Col de Nice - it seemed an appropriate way to close a long 7 days before the final descent towards the city of the same name and our final destination.

We nearly missed the sign a again but finally we managed to bag the last of the 19 cols we had set out to crest.

So it was with a cheeky grin that we snapped one final picture as we negotiated the last few steep (over 14%) roads into Nice - the sign for the Col de Quatre Chemin - a staggering 329m above sea level.

A stunning final descent into the chaos of NIce (which after 7 days of peace in the mountains was quite jarring) and it was time for beer, fat cigars and a dip of the toes in the Med!!!

So I close for now with some final thank yous.

My friend the Salty Pigeon - not a cross word between us in 7 days, in close quarters and at times tired and irritable - I look forward to the next challenge my friend.

To Slaty's wife - Laurence - who let him come with me and did not get too jealous - although I have no doubt we will have the mickey taken out of us for some time to come

To my wife Jane, my children; Luke, Aidan and Lily for their patience, support and coming to meet me at the end.

And finally to the best support crew money could not buy. John and Mary. You two were the making of the trip. All we had to do was ride. I cannot thank you enough.

Nailed

It's done.

19.5 cols (we could not find the col sign for one) plus one extra (Col de Quatre Chemin at 329m)

Today we bagged 6 cols in total over 2000m again and another 100km

More to follow once I have access to Internet

But for now 'chapeau'

Lost photos for now so please be patient.

Penultimate day. Vars to St Martin de Vesubie

No wifi tonight so will keep it short.

It has been one of the hardest but most beautiful of rides.

Just over 130km and 2660m of ascent

It all started gently with our superb crew giving us a lift back up to the top of the Vars. we were so glad that we saved the descent until the morning as the view on the descent was breathtaking - and you know - the beauty just mept coming until our senses were bursting.

The first climb was a monster. The Cime de Bonette (in a very good friends words) is a mans climb! What a route. Topping out at 2850 and 18%


You can imagine the descent. Had it not been for the wind we would have not have needed to peddle for 40km. Picnicking in the most stunning of Gorges.

Coffee stop Sauveur gave a much needed shot of Espeesso before a lesser known but stunning climb up to Valbourd. Slight interrupted by the most thunderous of thunder storms - Jim and I sheltering in separate doorways.

We finished off with another cracking descent to a hot bath in St Martin

Day 5 (a big one) Briancon to Vars

The reliable crew ready to pump our tyres!

 It has been a big day - 101km and 3300m of climbing (lots of calories). The biggest yet. If we were feeling a little guilty about having to shorten the previous days then we need not have worried. The Salty Pigeon saw to that.


We kicked off with the col L'Izoard which turned out to be just outside the front door. An interesting warm up... Especially after a very pleasant evening celebrating one of our support crews birthday!

The climb was stunning, following an aqua marine blue river for most of the way. We just managed to pass a 80 something old boy who was cranking his way up. A quick stop at the col for photos and a hip flask before the most amazing descent to Guiellestre which seem to go on forever. Passing through a stunning gorge, tunnels dug out of the rock face and super fast straights!

 

 The next climb was up to the ski station 'Risoul' according to the Pigeon we were meant to be able  drop down on to the road that took us up to the final col of the day however after 14 kms of climbing it turned out that the road up and over was only suitable for mountain bikes! So a fast descent back down to where we had come to start the final climb.

And what a climb it was - it was the climb that never ended!

Only 19km but with vertical winds and pouring rain it seemed to last forever.

All was worthwhile though as we crested the col to see the welcome sight of our support crew standing there with warm towels and a copy of the Sporting Life!

Day 4 - Bourg D'Oisan to Briancon

Sorry all. It's been a long day if only a short ride. We only managed about 60km but still cleared 2,500m of climbing.

We have not missed a col but have had to quickly bail off the Col de la Lauteret due to the weather.

If you have ever been in a lightning storm at 3000m then you would understand.

I do have photos from each and every sign counting down the 21 hairpins of L'Alpe D'Huez but due to Internet connection it will have to wait to tomorrow.

So 3 cs down today and I think we may have a few more tomorrow.

All getting a little repetitive :-)

(I will admit it is starting to hurt a little now...)

Getting ready for the tour

Day 3 Meribel to Bourg D'Oisean

Distance:	88.69 km
Time:	5:58:33
Avg Speed:	14.8 km/h
Elevation Gain:	3,108 m
Calories:	5,109 C
Avg Temperature:	25.5 °C

Today may have seemed short - at only 88km but just look at the height gain!

And we have an excuse - honest.

After a night being kept up by the most amazing thunder storm that sounded like it was going off in the room - we woke up to beautiful sunshine, coffee, cereal and another broken bike. An hour of additional fiddling seemed to get it working ok but meant we were chasing our tails a little. 

However, the first climb of 25km up the Madeleine was just incredible. At one stage it was just like the tour de France, the crowds hardly gave us room to pass, (a crowd / herd of sheep cheering / bleating ). A long slog but stunning views and a cafe at the top with bowls of pasta waiting. A Crazy descent to La Chambre before hitting the the Glandon (20 km). The heat hit hard, stopping at an ice cool stream to cool off only to be hit by a hail and thunderstorm 1 hour later at the col!

Day two - Megéve to Courchevel

Distance:	110.10 km
Time:	6:17:50
Avg Speed:	17.5 km/h
Elevation Gain:	2,558 m
Calories:	5,404 C
Avg Temperature:	26.9 °C

So sorry - last night was late and I was very tired. Just for your information; yesterday we climbed the Col de Romme, Col de Columbiere and Col Aravis.

Today more of the same. Just two cols but still about the same amount of climbing. 

The day broke into three distinct parts. 

The first was the beautiful climb from Megeve up the Col de Les Saises. (No idea how you pronounce that). It was a beautiful climb through dappled shade that hid the potholes that could swallow your bike. The descent down into the valley was just as stunning and it was difficult to concentrate on the hairpins with such a stunning view.

The second part of the day was the long drag to the base of the climb to Courchevel. Mainly flat, typical industrial France set in the stunning valleys of the Alps. It included a stop at a sandwich shop that did not sell sandwiches. So cake and coke was our lunch.

The climb up to Courchevel was hot and long and with the continuing problems with the bottom bracket it made for a slog. But all worthwhile. Finishing with a short return to the lake where our wonderful support vehicle awaited for the transfer to our overnight stay in a beautiful chalet in Meribel (www.cyclehame.co.uk) Highly recommended - pasta and beer waiting!

Don't forget to visit justgiving.com/Archie289

Speak soon - Archie and Salty