Day 9 - And finally...

We don't need to be at the airport in Grenoble till 5.00pm, about 3 1/2 hours by car, so we reckon we can squeeze in a ride today.
After packing we stop in town to get the croissants in, then find a bench a few miles out in Serre Chevalier to enjoy them in the sun. The plan today is to drive out past Bourg d'Oisans and park up at the foot of the Col de La Croix de Fer. After a quick change we head out and ride the 1st 10km together...this is a 34 km climb! As it steepens I go off to do my thing, passing a contingent from the Notts CTC who are actually doing this on fully laden touring bikes...respect is due.
Although this is 34 km that includes a couple of fairly flat sections and 2 short descents. Only the first 1/3 is really steep, tree lined and shaded, opening up later past the 2nd lake into a bleaker and more windswept environment.

At the summit, and much to the bemsement of the 30 or so german riders catching their breath there, I swing a u-turn in the middle of the road and head back down to Al to give him some company. 6km down I find him and we ride another 2km to the left turn that takes us to the summit of the Col du Glandon...200 metres away. 2 summits for the price of one, but just one climb. Around we turn again and back down to the car.

After packing the bikes and scoffing the picnic we head off for the airport. Another year done. Pyrenees next year. The pyrenees feature heavily in the 2010 Tour de France, including both sides of the Tourmalet, so a nice chance to develop some empathy for the Peloton.