Well folks Day 1 of OFC Alps ride. We've been keeping the difficulty of today a secret so we didn't scare off the punters. For a first day it was going to be super tough. 110kms with 3296m of vertical ascent.

We were late heading off, 10am which was a bit slack. Everybody stuffing around, fixing bikes, gelling the hair, trimming the mo!

Just like 2013, it was bucketing with rain in the morning but it cleared up OK.

First climb out of town was Col des Gets which was enjoyable. Everything after that was purgatory!

Descent down to Cluse and just out if Cluse we stopped for lunch

Col de la Colombiere came next, the sun was at its strongest, we needed that..... really tough especially the last 3 kms. 9% then 10% then for good measure the last km was 11%.

The boys weren't happy! Much cursing and swearing.

Cafe at the top until everybody made it. Johan and Harri smashed the rest of us.
Score is Sweden 1 Australia 0.

Descent again to Last Clusaz, beautiful ski town.

Last climb today was Col des Aravis. Much easier than the previous sucker but tough because we were all b*****ed.

Finally made it into our hotel at La Giettaz at 7pm. Long day!

Great spot this at the Hotel Flor Alpes.

Magnificent little ski town!

Grub and then to bed. No serious drinking tonight .