The Hard Days Continue

Just when we thought that we could not put ourselves through any more agony and suffering, today brought with it renewed efforts to turn the screws just a little tighter. As I am sure you are aware by now, Europe is experiencing something of a heatwave, so every stage of the Tour de Fat has been run in consistantly intense heat; today, like every other day, saw the mercury rise to over 40c under the full glare of the sun.

Not being content with the previous two days that took in the Cols de la Medeleine, du Telegraphe and du Galibier, this morning we got up and had l'Alpe d'Huez for breakfast, literally. With only a glass of orange juice and a Coke to sustain us we rode the one kilometre out of town to the Alpe and got smacked right between the eyes by the first couple of kilometres of what is quite a tough little climb.

The beauty of l'Alpe d'Huez is that at only 14km it is not too long: even though it is steep one doesn't suffer like on the climbs that stretch over 20km. We all enjoyed it as much as a poke in the eye, but compared to the others it was fun. At least when you reach the ski village it flattens out and you can click into a big gear, zip up your jersey and sprint for the line like a Tour champion, even if we are far from worrying the likes of Landis and his pals. Once again Choc took the prize, but this time I shook up the standings a little and came in second. Final standings in our King of the Mountains competition:

Klausen Pass - Jon 3 points; Choc 2 points; Dave 1 point
Col de la Madeleine - Choc 3; Jon 2; Dave 1
Col du Telegraph/ Galibier - Choc 3; Jon 2; Dave 1
l'Alpe d'Huez (double points) - Choc 6; Dave 4; Jon 2

Total - Choc 14; Jon 9; Dave 7

If that wasn't enough we came back down the mountain, clipped on the bags and assorted luggage and rolled out of town in the direction of Lyon. We figured that Lyon was a two-day ride, but we never expected to be dining tonight on the banks of the Rhone at Tournon sur Rhone; despite our best intentions, we ended the day having covered 186.7km, including the Alpe d'Huez, making today one of the toughest.

And now the greater part of our adventure draws to close. After another 100km tomorrow we will reach Lyon and separate to make our own ways to Paris, by bike of course.

Stage17 - L'Alpe d'Huez to Tournon sur Rhone = 186.7km

Cheers,
Dave, Choc, Jon