final days of the tour

The final days of the trip have suddenly arrived. Everyone has the feeling that it's a long time since they were home with family, yet the time here has flown by and we are suddenly preparing to pack and move on, home for some (ie me) or onto Paris for the Tour finish and a brief extension of their holiday.
Yesterday was the final day in the Alps and an opportunity to have a look at Le Tour's stage start in Boug d Oisans. Most were content to have an easy ride into town and take in the atmosphere of a Tour sign on and rollout- team buses, riders, parade, sign on etc. Town was absolutely packed. To the extent that Adam and I opted for a brief ride up to Villard Notre Dam, a spectacular climb  over 9 km on a narrow road cut into the cliff side, including a few unlit tunnels (more like caves), forest and ultimately Villard Notre Dam overlooking the valley some 800 metres below.
The tour rolled out at 11:00 after which we battled through the mayhem back to Venosc for a final lunch and then bike packing.
The evening meal became a bit of a final celebration including a few extra wines and some exhibition of Michael Jacksons better steps.

The road from Villard Notre Dame

Woke next morning to the above view from the lounge for departure at 8:00.

Farewells, photos and it's all but over.

The final should be from home in Aus.

BB





life is good

Nearly tired of saying it, but today was another good day.
Tour de France stage ??? featuring a double ascent of Alp d Huez,...  and we were there in the midst of the excitement and mayhem of the day.

A fairly early start to join the masses heading up the hill to find a good viewing point amongst the numerous pilgrams converging on Alp d Huez. The estimated mass of spectators congregating on this 14 km section of hill was in the order of 2 million.

A reasonable vantage point was selected and we settled in a for a few hours of people watching as the crowds streamed in and  the parade of sponsors started flowing through.

We were well set up thanks to a combined effort of all the crew, stacks of food, beers, chairs and enthusiasm to grab whatever trinckets may be thrown from the advertisers parade.

Ultimately leading up the passage of the tour riders.

 

Another hour to recoup as the race progressed up the Alp, over Col de Sarenne and around for a second ascent. The boys' got pretty comfortable with the atmosphere of the event plus a few more beers.

 

A second passing of the riders, heaps of photos and time to descend with the masses. The trip home was not to bad, walked for 1/2 an hour or so, but eventually Arnaud picked us up in the van and back to Chalet Morville for dinner R & R.

And that's about it, we enjoyed being part of the tour, avoided the rain yet again and will soon be off to bed tired to recharge for tomorrow - the final day.

Bon nuit

BB

another day, more cols and more food

Big day today, early start and onwards towards Croix de Fer.

Solid climb, once again a success for all, then a minor diversion to get a few pics of the Col de Glandon as the clouds roll in with a bit of drizzle and the temp drops prompting some urgency to head back down the hill .

The descent is the usual 20 km downhill "hoot" and then along the valley floor and back to Chalet Morville.

A bit of afternoon R & R, some shopping for tomorrow's stage viewing (Borg d' Oisans is getting insanely busy) and it's tome for dinner. Today is George and Michelle's rest day so we go to the Dolly Loo for dinner. Pretty traditional French cuisine for dinner, enjoyed by all, ..... well I really liked it. and now it's late and past my bed time hence the brevity of todays blog.

Another good day, ... can't imagine going back to normal routine.... I'm still not sure what day it is.

Bon Noir

BB 

Rest day - rafting for most, cruise to La Berade for some

The possible rest day mentioned previously turned out be a very popular option. A sleep in, breakfast at 8:30 and a casual prep for the days activities.
7 weary bodies jumped at the chance to go white water rafting. By all reports it was a "hoot", everyone enjoyed the break, the icy water and rafting is just good fun.
Arnoud then backed the event with a picnic lunch - which was reported by Cos "Arnoud spoiled us", fresh breads, salad, cheese, herbs all good stuff which we have come to expect.
As for the rest of us, being Adam and myself (BB) we had a casual morning and then opted for the ride out to La Berade. Love this one, a couple of relatively short steep climbs up to St Christophe and then a more gradual meander up the valley on narrow roads carved into the side of the valley wall. Have to wait to see the video.
The arvo comprised a quick visit to Bourg d Oisans for a little shopping and haircuts then back to the chalet to view the final of "Le Tour" followed by spas, beers games room for some and computer downloads for others and very soon dinner.  -- what a life, needless to say all is well.
BB

Cycling to new heights - Galibier 2,640 metres



 Today is Monday the tell me, so we ride to Col de Galibier  at something close to 2,640 metres above sea level.
An early start as the day will be warm and the road to Galibier is 50 km long and at least 35 km of this will be uphill. The crew is enthusiastic, though there are signs of wear and perhaps a rest day coming up for some. The ride was however, once again a success for all, 4.5 to 5.5 hours in the saddle, plenty of photo ops, spectacular scenery, 35 km of descent on hot mix roads, chances to throw a snowball and more Jambon and Fromage to keep us going.
Arrived back at Chalet Morville by 3:30 ready settle into the luxuries, some to the spa, others in the sauna and the boys to the games room.
Dinner is now being served, it will be outstanding and this blog must be signed off.
Yet another good day cycling, eating enjoying holidays in France.
BB 

I believe it's Sunday and we climb Alp d Huez

 

 

 

 

I'm beginning to lose track of time ( not so good for a leader/organiser) but they tell me it's Sunday. I do however know that today we climb Alp d Huez and then meander along a section of what I call the balcony road to descent into Allemont and then along the valley to Bourg d Oisans and home to Venosc. Some 80 kms of spectacular alps riding.

Made an early start for this one, 6:30 breakfast and ready to hit the hills by 8:00 in the relative cool of the morning. Certainly made for a more comfortable ascent of Alp d Huez, which as expected was successfully achieved by all. Photos, coffee, cake and then descend a few hairpins and turn off towards Villard-Reculas. Views down into the valley are spectacular from here, I believe this to be one of the old roads carved into the cliff face to access the slopes of alp d Heuz. From Villard Reculas the road begins its descent down to Allemont and then a spin along the flat valley floor to Bourg -d Oisans for lunch, a little more shopping and the cruise home the awaiting luxury of Chalet Morville.

Got back in time to watch the final stages of the tour (the climb of Mt Ventoux) reliving our own glories of Friday's climb and then adjourning our selected mode of relaxation.

Another good day! 



 

 

Provence

Alas, the blog is falling way behind, limited internet access is my main excuse, however I have been happily occupied with greater things such as a cycle tour of Mt Ventoux, the pool at The hotel des Pins at Bedoin, Massage from Roger and of course the usual eating and drinking and talking.
I think it best to let a few pictures tell the story:

On route - bikes and van

Lunch at Malaucene after Ventoux

Hotel des Pins

in the Pool

more hills and moving on

Since my last brief update of the blog the pace has not lessened, we ride, we eat and then drink a little then sleep. Our last day in th Pyranees included climbing Luz Ardiden and the Hauticam for those that did not top this one on sunday (or whatever day it may have been).
Luz Ardiden was a favourite from last year and after a second ascent remains so. Good roads, varying and spectacular scenery, classic swithbacks and plenty of photo opportunities.

From here it was back down to Luz St Saveur for lunch then to the Hauticam for a complete days riding.

Pretty weary by now, back at the Beau Site Hotel Arnaud had a few of his own wines for pre dinner tasting which went down exceptionally well, followed up with the usual 5 course dinner and then an adjournment to the local café/bar with some live music and a few more "leffes".

A good finale for the Pyranees,..... bit sorry about the final "leffe" next morning.



we ride, eat, talk and sleep

This is going to be very quick, just an update to say we are right into the riding with a couple of big hills being overcome - Hauticam, Spandelles, Soulor, Aubisque, Tourmalet and Aspen..... so far. Some legs and bodies are tiring but the group is mostly keen to do more. The days have been pretty much filled with riding and what time remains seems fully occupied with eating, sleep recounts of the days glories and a few domestic catchups. Hence the brevity of this posting, it's late and I need my sleep. Basically we're all having a good time pretty much fully occupied with cycling and taking in the local food and beer and the details will once again be related at a later time.

Bon nuit
BB

gathering at Pau

Very quick comment tonight, - everyone has made their way to Pau in readiness for the transfer to Argeles Gozost and the beginning of the cycling.
Picked up a rental car, a VW Touran this time, loaded bikes and bags then had a long and uneventful drive to here from Paris, some 800 kilometres with the main highlight being a couple of circuits of the roundabout at the Champs de Elysees, (like a giant dodgem car track). The rest travelled by train; much quicker and less stress and highly recommended.
Have just been out to dinner together, enjoyed the company as well as the food, had a quick look around the central/dining part of town, but am now very keen to get some sleep. So details and few photos may follow tomorrow, but for now .... Bon nuit.  BB

another Parisien day and the crew come together

Everyone has now arrived in France and soon the cycling can commence.
Today I did a little more Parisien style strolling before heading out to the airport to meet seven travel weary cyclists disembarking from 24 + hours of mind numbing constriction in an economy class plane seat. Seemed pretty good considering - Met up with Arnaud our local guide and carrier and the bikes were loaded into his van to be transported south to the Pyranees. Then found our way to the metro, purchased tickets and headed to our hotels for a much anticipated wash, beer and laydown (not sure of the order of priority).
In the meantime, Stacey had dropped her bike off at the Hotel Elysees Ceramic to be transported with me and tomorrow we will all be making our way to Pau. Most by train, I'll be picking up a rental vehicle and hope for an uneventful journey out of Paris.
As an aside I found a great little bar come café, "Café de Ponce" in Rue Poncelet in the 17 Arrondissement. At the end of a market a comfortably small bar frequented by an array of locals serving beers, wines, coffees, meals and I think a tobacconist. Anyway , I liked it, had a beer a wine, dinner and a chat and felt it was a good place to hang out, which is what I suspect people do here.... all you see is people rushing around to find somewhere to sit eat and discuss and there's an abundance of places to go and they're full every lunch time and evening. And given that they don't get up early, there is not much time left to get much else done,.... no wonder the economy isn't thriving, but it seems pleasant.
Anyway, I have to get up early tomorrow, its going to be a long drive - so
Bon nuit...

Je arrive au Paris

Not much of any great interest to add, this is just a note to say that I have arrived in Paris,... on time with bike and bags intact.
The flight was tiring, 14 hours in a seat followed by 3 hours at Dubai airport in preparation for another 7.5 hours flying. Feeling a bit numbed from it all there was a brief moments excitement with my bag finally appearing on the wrong conveyor and 20 minutes after everyone else had collected and left. But was OK in the end and bag and bike were transported to the Hotel Elysees Ceramic where I could at last lay down.... But not before a bit of a stroll, which seems to be what one does here to take in a bit of the atmosphere, (people watching) along with food and what turned out to be a little too much wine.
Eventually got to bed and passed out immediately, which I could tell by the fact that I woke several hours later with lights and TV still on. Slept some more and eventually awoke for a bit of a rest day to take in a little more of Paris.  Details of which I may report on later.
Tomorrow is a trip to the airport to meet Arnoud and the crew to help load the bikes and hopefully manage to get in contact with Stacey re dropping her bike at the hotel plus more Parisien perusing.
Well that's it for now, should be an update tomorrow
Au revoir
BB

It begins

Bags packed, in transit at Sydney airport and I do believe that it is the right day.
Have had plenty of time to be organised, so hope that I have considered all things necessary - have a bike, (which is on it's way) a ticket and passport, feeling fit and looking forward to some summer sun and another cycling adventure, pretty simple really. Unusually, i'm ahead of myself and have little more to do than have a "corona" and contemplate the trip ahead.
So, that's it, will be boarding in a another hour and a half and hopefully next reporting the journey from a hotel in Paris.
Regards
Bob B.

Nearly time to start thinking about packing guys!!!