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.

Day 8 - Will it never end

Just the two of us now, and the Aber boys have taken the sun back with them...even as we leave town to do the Izoard we are in leg warmers, gilets and gloves...not a good sign.

If you don't know the Izoard, it actually starts in the middle of town. 17km of climbing with some respite in the middle. The last 3 km look like intestines spilled out on the mountain and supported by concrete to stop them slithering back down. Check out the video of Alan grovelling up the last section.

It is so cold at the top that all we can do is a U-turn and head back. A shame, I was hoping for a longer ride today, but I'm frozen.

We head to the old town and install ourselves in a cafe for a spell. The cafe owner tells us that it was like this all last month and only warmed up on the day we arrived...which would explain all the flies around the house, the amned things were all hatching.

A quick meal in town, a few beers, clean the house and half pack for tomorrow. The bikes stay as they are though...there is time for one more ride!

Day 7 - Scattered all over and missing in action

Gareth and Meirion have to leave today. To be fair, if they leave now, they stand a fair chance of getting back to Geneva before christmas.

Shelley is stuffed so sensibly has a day off while Dewi and Paul head straight up to the church we can see from the house, on the mountain that looms over the town...more on that later.

Myself, Alan, Tim and Richard head off to find the back road to Sestriere, but it all goes wrong. Up the Mongenevre at a nice steady pace, staying together, and the sun is already warm. Never ridden this sociably before so notice the golf course at the top for the 1st time...at a ski resort? As we start the descent to Cassana I'm afraid Alan and I get sucked into the game of, "Can we go even faster than last time?"

The answer of course is yes, most definitely, and we disappear from sight for the other two. This is where it goes wrong. My lack of clear briefing...cos I know where I'm going, means that when Tim and Rich see a sign 3km from the botom for Sestriere, they take the turning (I didn't even see it). We wait at the bottom for a few minutes and as they don't appear, ride all the way back to the summit fearing either multiple punctures, mechanical mishap, or worse still a crash. Of course we don't find them, so come back down and set off for the back road. We have now done two major climbs before we have even got to the 2nd climb!

As we start the climb, Alan realises he is struggling today, so turns round to head back up the valley to Bardonechia and over the Col d'Echelle. I continue with the back road and it is well worth it. I see one car all the way up, it is sheltered and warm...simply lovely, if not spectacular. Lunch at the top then down the main road, along the valley to Bardonechia and back up the Col d'Echelle, about an hour behind Alan. This is one of my favourite climbs. The first 8 km are wide open and fairly dull, but when the road narrows at the water treatment works and becomes a series of tigt hairpins, the view opens back across the valley. Another quiet road, just a couple of cars for the whole climb. Cresting the summit through tunnels carved from the rock face I hit the plateau and roll along the top, through the forested country park, past sunbathing locals, then begin the long steady run back to Briancon, 20km of rolling valley descent.

By this point, Tim and Rich have done the back road to Sestrieres ahead of me, had lunch, and returned to Briancon over the Mongenevre for a very civilised day out.

When I get back to Briancon it is only 4.00pm, the sun is still hot, and my legs feel ok, so I head straight up the road that Dewi and Paul went out on in the morning. This turns out to be the best decision of the week. This 7km climb up to the village of Puy Chaval is stunning. A combination of steep suburban roads, small hamlets and precipitous cliffs snake their way up to the best view of the week. The road above the village peters out into a dirt track where I stop to soak up the scenery. This is where I want to live. The pictures here just don't do it justice.

We all meet up again at the house and head out for pizza, though by now we've lost Rich somewhere and amazingly none of us hit on the simle note on the table as a method of communication...sorry Rich.

In the middle of town at the pizza shed (?!) we have the most surreal dining experience. Weorder the food, at which point the chap makes a phone call, gets in his car and leaves. After 10 minutes of no activity, Dewi goes into the kitchen to see if he can work the oven, at which point the guy returns with the food. It seems that his oven is knackered and he in turn has to phone out for the food. Enterprising I guess.

A couple of beers at the dodgy pine clad pub full of 12 year olds, and that is the end of the week for the Aber boys who now have to pack and start the long drive back. Boys, cheers for the company, really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you all next year...2 days left for me and Al though.

Day 6 - Has Meirion died or just run out of tubes?

The hunt for a new climb, now that we know for sure we can't get over to the Telegraph, takes us out as full group on the main road to Guillestre and onto the Col du Vars.

I will admit to sulking on the way out, it is a travesty to use the main road when there is such a great road off to the side, albeit with a few climbs in. It is so much nicer, quieter, the views are better...

Anyway, 10km of steady climbing with a breathtaking drop to the side take us to the 1st summit as it were before the ski resort. We regroup here and take in the view but with the dark side of the Izoard to come on the way back, only me, Shelley, Gareth, Richard and Meirion continue up the last 6km to the true summit. And it is so worthwhile.

The scene at the top is bizarely more like moorland than alpine summit and the cafe is a superb surprise. This is easily the largest sandwich I have ever seen someone Gareth's size attempt to swallow.

The area appears to be haunted however. As we leave the cafe we say Au Revoir to the cafe owner, hammer down the next 4km at 45mph only to see the cafe owner again chatting to someone on the side of the road. Well spooky.

(Richard climbs the Col du Vars)

On the descent I pass through some roadworks at speed and am slightly concerned by the speed of truck coming up through the bends and taking some of my side of the road, quickly dismissed though. I stop at the bottom of the descent as Gareth and Richard continue into the town to see if they can find the others in case Shelley and Meirion miss the turn...and wait...and wait...after 15 minutes, plenty of time to change a tube, there is no sign of them so I start riding back up, looking at that truck in a different light now. I only have to go 2km though before they emerge.

Meirion had punctured both tyres, now down to his last tube of the holiday. When Shelley couldn't see him behind after the truck he had the same thought as me so went back for him...lucky for Meirion.

Moving on to the Izoard when the 5 of us re-group, by this point the others have completed the climb and are on the way back to Briancon. Today's epic struggle was won again by Tim, defying age and gravity once more. With our group Gareth took off before the climb (we weren't making him suffer enough) laeving Meirion to try his customary attack only to falter as it steepened.

How's this for a bit of snow on the side of the road on the Izoard?

Highlight of the climb though was passing the lady with immaculate make up, then coming round the next hairpin to see her husband revelling in the crushing defeat he was inflicting on her. Awesome display!

The usual warm wind on the fast run back in and tonight we feast on Chinese, rather good too.

Simon Miles: 76

What we've learned today: When someone suggests 2 tubes on the bike and 4 in the kit bag, listen to the voice of reason and experience.

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.

Day 4 - If your legs don't hurt today they will by tomorrow.

The sun has disappeared, it seems an opportune time to throttle back and have a short steady day, let the legs recover and make sure you have enough energy for the rest of the week.

Not everyone has the same idea though. Myself, Alan, Meirion, Shelley and Mark head towards Haut Vallee, a 20 mile steady road that actually climbs to almost 2000 metres, but just never feels like that. It is the most pleasant option in the area for a ride with very little climbing.

Above is Tim demonstrating how to protect yourself from the sun at altitude...go out in the rain wearing everything you own.

Out along here we see the damage caused by a recent avalanche, and eventually turn round at 15 iles as Mark has to leave today and needs to get back, packed and moving. I grumble a bit, the rest of the road is superb...surrounded on all sides by steep wooded slopes, dotted with waterfalls, and barely a car in sight, a treat if you usally ride in the tourist packed Peak District with heavy quarry traffic all over the place. It turns out to be the right choice though, cold rain starting to fall before we are halfway back.

Everyone else heads up the Briancon side of the Izoard, staying together for the climb before splitting up to either enjoy the descent back and chill out for the rest of the afternoon (Rich and Dewi), or complete the 65 mile clockwise loop down the other side, along the gorge to Guillestre and back to town. They get wet, actually quite wet...now I think about it, cold too...just look at the pics, doesn't look so nice on the Izoard today.

Today's reward though is tea in the old town, the walled part of Briancon at the top of the hill, the bit favoured by race organisers for stage finishes of the Tour and the Giro.

The pic here is Dewi doing his best to look ferocious, this is to ward off cattle, dangerous things y'know. That merits expanding I think.

My training partner and team mate, Steve Gibson, had a very nice carbon TT frame for sale, so I mentioned it to Shelley, and Dewi appeared as a buyer almost immediately. The frame was duly posted and lovingly built by Dewi.

Several weeks later, perhaps a little concerned that he hadn't been paid yet, Steve called Dewi to check up, only to find that Dewi, on the bike's maiden voyage, had tried, and failed, to get through a gap in a herd of cows in the first mile of the Ystwyth Club 10 TT. He hit the cow, followed by a gatepost, snapped the frame in two and ended up with the bruising you see below as a pointer for where the broken bits of his body were...2 vertebrae, a few ribs and so on.

Steve would like to apologise for pissing himself laughing on the phone while trying to sound concerned, he isn't always very good at that.

There is very little, if any, truth in the scurrilous rumour that Shelly, as the first rider on the scene of the accident, hesitated and checked his stopwatch to see if he was on for a personal best before deciding to go to Dewi's aid. Just not true, really.

Simon Miles:30

What we've learned today: French brides to be, apparently, tour the town seeking signatures on a petition of some sort. I must look this tradition up and debunk the only other theory I could think of, that being that the bride presents it to the groom if reports of the stag night were too wild and proclaims it to be a list of all the men she slept with on the hen night.

Tim signed out of politeness, we all declined having no wish to be named later in an international divorce or paternity case.

Day 3 - Alpe d'Huez - Revenge of the old fella

This is the big one for most of the boys really. As Phil Ligget says, there are bigger climbs and steeper climbs, but the Alpe has to be done really.

The last tme I rode over here it snowed lightly on the Alpe, just enough to bring on mild hypothermia for the descent. The whole ride was spent layered up...today the sun is out.

The breakfast club is developing quickly, my morning croissant run is expanding to the point that the bakery has to take on another member of staff. Just to note here, there are 5 boulangeries nearby, the one in the market square is by far the best...I've tried them all.

I've done this ride so many times now that I have a good feel for where people need to start the ride to survive it comfortably. The fanatics can ride straight out over the Col de Lauteret (27k), descend to Bourg d'Oisans (another 43k) then start the climb (13k, just a baby). For the first time I have company, Gareth, Mark and Meirion joining me for the full 100 miles. Tim generously offers to take the van over the Lauteret to La Grave, 11k down the other side, where we will all meet up for the rest of the ride.

So, Gareth takes us up the Lauteret at a blistering pace until first me, then Mark, are forced to sit up. Regrouping near the top we drop quickly down this fastest part of the descent to La Grave and install ourselves with a coffee in the most visible bar terrace. We only have to wait 5 minutes for a perfectly timed Tim to pull up nearby, and the group is together for the easiest start to any ride...30km of descent and flat before the climb. This is a stunning valley, punctuated by long, dark cold tunnels, and delayed by just one puncture for Mark when he clips a small rock, we are soon at the foot of the Alpe.

This will be the 4th time I've climbed this in the company of Meirion, and true to form he sets off like a rocket in the hope of crushing my morale completely. Everyone else takes their pace from Meirion, except of course for Gareth who is already at the top doing power intervals on the big ring before we have hit the 2nd hairpin.

Fact time, 21 hairpin bends on here, all numbered in countdown, and each one named after a previous stage winner on the climb. The first 3 bends are, in my opinion, the steepest, and after that I settle into the climb a bit. So, as is traditional, I overhaul Meirion after the 3rd bend and lay that one to rest for another year, still got Mark in sight but Gareth is long gone. Richard and Alan have sensibly given themselves a head start when we stopped earlier for some long forgotten reason, and are benefitting from a steady start to the climb.

It passes, as it always does, slowly, interupted briefly by the official photographer who snaps then passes a card with the web address for your overpriced pic. Follow the signs through the ski resort, past the only open bar, and if you are not too delirious you can follow the 'Itinerary du Tour de France' signs to the official finish line. I get there to find Gareth waiting, Mark, who I passed at half distance, has been overhauled by a turbo charged Tim who is just a couple of minutes behind me, and well ahead of the younger, lighter racing members of the Ystwyth CC. This has to be the ride of the week, shame on the rest of you.

When Dewi and Paul arrive I am suitably impressed by their suggestibility. They actually ride back down for 1k so they can sprint it out for the finish linetat they managed to miss on the way up...leaves me wondering what else I might be able to get them to do.

Lunch in the bar, vegetarians take note, the girl there struggles desparately with the concept of meat free and on her 2nd attept simply peels the ham off a croque monsieur ad hands it back.

We split up now, Gareth wants to torture himself some more and ride harder, so heads back the way we've come, while Mark leads us over the back road to the bottom of Les Deux Alpes...superb, bit more climbing but followed by 15k of manic, narrow, gravel strewn scenic descent...2 punctures for Meirion. Back up the interminable Lauteret where Tim loads half the group back into the van while me, Paul, Meirion, Mark and Shelley continue over the top, filling the bottles on the way from a variety of very dubious sources.

The descent off the Lauteret gives me a chance to make up for blowing on the climb as I let my fairly hefty body take me down the other side so quickly I don't pedal for 15k but put a minute into a hamster like Mark.

This evening we will dine on a huge curry, prepared by the resident chef, Alan (who did in fact used to be a chef, handy huh?).

Simon Miles: 98

What we learned today: Meirion didn't bring any extra tubes...again.

Richard is cold!