Day 5 - Snow, snow, thick thick snow

Some legs still hurting today, so with the sun beating down again we split into two groups.

Tim, Dewi and Paul head out on the back road through Argentiere to Guillestre, returning home on the main road. The back road is another hidden gem, short (in alpine terms) shallow (it's all relative) climbs and twisting descents with panoramic views along the valley below.

(This pic, Shelley and Meirion at the foot of the Galibier)

The water main running alongside the road is a distraction as it crosses a ravine...two years ago we rode down here in rain so hard the road surface was invisible, but the sprinklers were still on in the fields, go figure.

The rest of take a plod up the Col de Lauteret, with the exception of Gareth who has finally succumbed to a sore throat (unless he has gone out alone to ride up the Izoard on 53x12, time after time until he loses consciousness, also known a a recovery period, before doing it again)

The cafe at the top is my favourite, we are 2000 metres up here and the clear air and snow capped peaks make it a relaxing spot for a coffee.
Coffee done with we take a stab at the Galibier after watching the snow ploughs come down to call it a day. We only get 3kms and meet the snow, the road chiselled out for us, marmots darting across every 100 metres or so, until a kilometre later we are stopped dead by the snow, 2 feet deep and so much of the climb left to go.

Turning round Shelley and I pick up Meirion on the descent, his knee has been hurting on the climb so he played safe, and sweep back down towards Briancon, turning in Serre Chevalier for the Col De Granon. I'm told this is the hardest climb here, and it tries to live up to its reputation with a steep first 3km before the road breaks out of the trees and opens up to reveal a narrow, snaking exposed climb that meanders steeply until we are stopped again by snow after just 11km...Steve tells me that the 4km after that are awesomely steep and we have missed the best bit. To be honest, it has been steep enough, I haven't hit a tempo anywhere and have been in and out of the saddle all the way up on my lowest gear.

Another adrenalin inducing descent, steep hairpins and stunning views then back to town while Alan cooks for us again, Spicy Tomato Pasta this time, and much appreciated.

Simon Miles: 55

What we learned today: You can't get close enough to a marmot while riding a bike to actually photograph it.