It is 4am in the morning and I'm sat in the lounge with a coffee. I had been lying in bed awake since half two so decided to get up.
Yesterday was brilliant. We all got up at a decent time and looked much more motivated than some mornings. I think we are all properly acclimatised now. Tim set off first with John shortly afterwards. I took the opportunity to adjust my front brakes again. As they are cantilever, they have been squealing like banshees and when you are descending for 10 miles at a go, that can get a tad tiresome although the guys said it helped them to know when I was braking. As Jason and I set off down the slope from our place I said "what can you hear?", "nothing" he said. Then shortly afterwards "ah, no brakes".
We set off at a sharp pace, taking it in turn to lead. We were old hands now and knew where we were going. We took the 1091 towards Grenoble and turned off onto the D526 after about 5 miles. We rode past an EdF lake/reservoir and started climbing. From that point for the next 30km the views just got better and better.
Jason is a slightly quicker climber than me and slowly gapped me until he was out of sight. After a while, I reached a village and all the traffic had stopped as they were putting down new tarmac (for the Tour?). I picked my bike up and walked the 100m or so across the new tarmac, past the heavy roller. As I got back on my bike I heard a voice saying "how did you get there?". It was Jason who had taken a cyclocross route round the back of the village virtually through the gardens!
Higher up we came across the EdF "Grand Maison" a massive lake which was stunning. Around the banks were loads of brownish sheep being tended by a couple of shepherds and their dogs. There was a lovely descent at this point and then the final climb to the Col de Glandon. There were quite a few riders about and we exchanged snippets of chat or just a greeting. I counted being passed by 6 riders and passing 19 on the way up which I was quite pleased with.
We got drinks and some frites and took our time relaxing in the cafe. Our fluent French was most impressive. John showed the finest European qualities by offering to pay, saying "I don't want any of this f##cking French sh#t". Jason and I laughed (and took the Euros of course).
After a while relaxing we set off back down. One of my ambitions was to hit 50mph which I have not quite managed before. On the ascent I had noted a few long straightish stretches and thought today may be a good time to get there.
Almost immediately I was slowed up by a couple of cars which took a while to get past but luckily that was it for the rest of the descent. I checked my max speed, 47 mph, then a few minutes later 48. I had a bit of a speed wobble as I dodged a large stone in the road which got the adrenaline coursing. Then came the section I had in mind. I held off touching the brakes at the point I normally would and gave it 2 extra seconds. Then brake hard for the curve and when settled sneaked a look. 52.3mph. I was chuffed. At the end my Garmin said the top speed was 62.3 mph but I'm sure that is a glitch not least because it had said 141 mph on the way up.
I didn't wait for the guys at the bottom as I planned to get my monthly 100 mile ride in. I'd warned Tim at the top. At the junction with the 1091 I turned towards Grenoble. I planned to go just far enough in this direction to make it 100 miles once I got back. However The road kept dropping and dropping in altitude and I was conscious that I'd have to re-climb it all back. By the time I had dropped 400m I decided enough was enough. I turned round knowing I'd have to do some filler miles later.
It was showing 33 degrees on my Garmin and the sun was very hot. I'd run out of food and drink a while ago and rode through the small towns/villages to top up. It was early afternoon and everywhere was shut in the first three I tried. Then in a place called Rioupeloux I found a small place open. It was a bit different! It was called la Libertaid and was Cuban, selling kebabs. I went inside as the Tour was on and ordered a roll with kebab meat and 4 drinks. As usual my French was impeccable.
20 happy minutes later i set off. I went past Bourg D'oisans and along the road to la Berade. I rode to the old village of Ventosc and watched the mountain bikers and cable car. Then more filler miles and back home with 104 miles on the clock.
We walked into town for our last meal (again at la Romanche) and back home for an earlyish night as the alarms are set for 5.30. It is 5.22 now so I'll put the kettle on and finish this later.
We had a good final meal and enjoyed the unique cycling atmosphere of Bourg D'Oisans for the last time. We wandered back to our apartment and did our final share of photos we'd taken during the day and a bit of packing. Then, back to the start of this blog entry - I couldn't sleep so was up early. We packed and were on the road by 6.30am. I wasn't much use to Tim on the return drive as my head kept dropping on the way home and I only managed an hour and a half driving. We were early so the excellent Eurotunnel organisation let us on an hour early.
We got caught on the M25 for quite a while but it would have been worse if we had been later. Soon Tim dropped me off and the holiday was done. It had been brilliant.
Big thanks go to Tim for organising the whole thing and putting up with me in the car for 22 hours.
Big thanks and love to Wendy for encouraging me to go and for being there when I got home.
Great to meet Jason and dad John - really good riding with you both.
If anyone reading this is thinking of doing this trip - DO IT!! You won't regret it.