Official Ride Seven: Twin Peaks,
Du Glandon & Croix de Fer.

OR.. Hotter, Longer and Steeper than Yesterday!!

The two New South Welshman woke weary and battlesore, and perhaps a little perturbed at the Victorians reinvigoration. Over breakfast there was mature discussion over potential course alteration for the day, to accommodate yesterday's expenditure. Whilst a sensible compromise of driving to the days start point, thus avoiding summiting 'The Beast' again both in the heat and on top of the days completed riding .. somehow the days planned course still resulted in climbing higher, riding further and in warmer temperatures than the 'hardest day ever on a bike' completed less than 16 hours ago..
A slightly later departure saw us drive down the mountain to the small village of Huez, and begin a six hour day covering just 80km's .. Yes, once again that maths means pretty much Up very very steeply for 5hrs and 1 collective hour of Down very very quickly. As with all rides in the Alps there is no such thing as flat, anywhere, so no surprises that despite driving to our start point the day would still end in a climb equal to the height of the Alp Duez beast and only slightly less steeperer.
From the amended vehicle assisted departure point the day began with a very scenic cliff hugging, undulating few kilometres, followed by a 14km plummet down to the valley and an amazing turquoise lake. Then the climbing began and literally didn't stop. When you're down in a valley by the waters edge and your destination is a mountain top x2 there's only really one way.. sooo up we went. After almost 3hrs of straight up (and a plethora of postcard vistas) we arrived at a T junction in a barren landscape, high above the tree line and void any real vegetation just various types of sumner grasses. To the left Gladon and to the right up a further 2.5 km Croix de Fer. After such a long climb it was a joy to summit two different peaks within 3km of each other.
The South Welshman had 'managed' the journey so far, and to their credit with more vigour than their breakfasting attitude forecasted. With a cyclists lunch and sugar in their belly, the descent was looking promising. There was of course the distinct awareness that on an out and back course you know exactly what you been up and down. And the 14km plummeting descent that began the day, would naturally inverse and become an equidistant but immensely more challenging return requirement.

We began the downhill journey and before mere mortals could even click up into the big cogs, his Royal Highness of Hairpins was gone. Screaming along at speeds often in excess of 70km/h, Tony had no peer, cyclist or vehicle alike. In fact, no sooner had the later spotted him and scamperd to the verge, the North Ryde Rocket had zipped past in a blur of carbon and lycra and disappeared from view.

Then, in keeping with most of this trips climbs vs descents, it was all over way too early. So quickly in fact, that it only took a sixth of the time come down, and literally zero effort by comparison.

It's difficult to explain the sensation of screaming down a hill at 50-60km/h and then immediately slamming into an uphill that requires your lowest gear and maximal effort.. you'd swear the handbrake was fused on (if bikes actually had one) and you're pretty sure both tyres have gone flat, or somehow magically filled with concrete.. of course neither are true and it's just gravity's way of telling you.. It's time to harden up.

The baton changed hands, and no sooner had the climb began, than Brownie was off like a cut snake. With invigorated cadence, spurred on perhaps by yesterday's successful Duez assault, he disappeared up the long steep straights punctuated every 800m or so by tight switchback hairpins. Tony and Phil formed their own Groupetto (the term given to tour cyclists who on climb days form a 'comfortably' paced group at the back who's primary objective is just making sure they finish the stage).

We met back at the car, ticked off two more peaks and another massive challenging day.

Double thumbs up kudos to Tony and Phil, who at dawn had the bookies drawing very long odds for even completing the day.. and the shortest of returns for a first possible tour 'abandonment'. Great effort.