Author Topic: Essex (and Rest of World) peoples in the Alps - June 2023 (Read 23276 times)

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #75 on:** 18 June, 2014, 09:16:21 pm »

Day 2 - Col d'Ornon and Col de Solude ...

Weather bright, sunny and hot. I found the ride up to Ornon quite tough and worried I wasn't going to cope well with climbing day after day:

After coffee at the top we descended part way and hung a right to climb Solude. My legs woke up and although the climb was even tougher I started to relax. The scenery was stunning. Ravines with streams in the bottom, wild flower meadows, sheep with bells:

Lunch was a long time coming and eventually found in a slightly shabby auberge. The food and beer hit the spot and the views were mouthwatering:

After lunch a short climb to the summit of Solude:

Oaky would have loved the next bit ... COMEDY OFF-ROADING

The gravel surface improved to this, the road is cut into the rock face high above the valley floor:

There were unlit tunnels with poor surfaces and water running down from the ceiling, brilliant stuff:

It was an amazing, amazing day!

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #76 on:** 18 June, 2014, 09:24:12 pm »

<shudder> unlit tunnels <shudder>

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #77 on:** 18 June, 2014, 09:25:52 pm »

Day 3 - Col du Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer ...

The weather dawned bright and hot. It was a long slog up to Glandon with the temperature dropping as we got higher:

We had French lamb curry at the top:

As we ate claps of thunder got closer and it started to rain. Wet weather gear was donned for the 2.5k climb upto Croix de Fer:

I stopped long enough for a couple of snaps as I wanted to get down sharpish. Descending from over 2000m in heavyish rain is interesting! It was also bloody cold. We learned later that over on Galibier it snowed and cars were being rescued by snow ploughs.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #78 on:** 18 June, 2014, 09:29:25 pm »

Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 18 June, 2014, 09:24:12 pm

<shudder> unlit tunnels <shudder>

We were prepared and had lights. Also a van overtook us and waited at the entrance to each tunnel and part way through to light the way!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #79 on:** 18 June, 2014, 09:36:44 pm »

Day 3 - supposedly an easy day. Pas de la Confession and l'Alpe d'Huez again ...

Plan A was to ride up to Villard Reculas for coffee, then Confession, then down the l'Alpe road back to Bourg. But over coffee we decided to ascend to l'Alpe again and do the Sarenne. It seemed a shame to waste our early start and altitude, plus the weather was nice.

On the way to Confession:

Whilst we ate lunch in the O Bar the weather again worsened so we swept back down the 21 hairpins. Mega fun, my cornering is improving!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #80 on:** 18 June, 2014, 09:44:43 pm »

By the way, meet Marion the Marmotte, you'll grow to love her:

Pingu · « **Reply #81 on:** 18 June, 2014, 09:47:31 pm »

Is that sign at Pas de la Confession new? I don't remember seeing it.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #82 on:** 18 June, 2014, 09:54:51 pm »

Quote from: Pingu on 18 June, 2014, 09:47:31 pm

Is that sign at Pas de la Confession new? I don't remember seeing it.

Possibly. It wasn't very big so perhaps easy to miss.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #83 on:** 18 June, 2014, 10:07:52 pm »

Wonderful stuff! But who is out representing YACF in the hostelries of central Essex this evening?

Ham · « **Reply #84 on:** 18 June, 2014, 10:20:23 pm »

There must be something wrong with me - I wish I was there.

TimC · « **Reply #85 on:** 18 June, 2014, 10:37:12 pm »

Great stuff, OD! Very jealous. Not that I could get up any of those climbs!

Wowbagger · « **Reply #86 on:** 19 June, 2014, 07:02:25 am »

Ah but Tim, you clearly haven't been training on The Mighty North Hill. I've been up it once this year so I reckon I'd be ready. It's just that the buggers didn't invite me!

TimC · « **Reply #87 on:** 19 June, 2014, 08:40:54 am »

I haven't, you're right. I must try it sometime. They didn't invite me either, but given the effort required to get up those hills I can't say I'm too disappointed!

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #88 on:** 19 June, 2014, 07:05:51 pm »

Tough day today. Sarenne was the hardest climb yet. Pictures and words later. BBQing at the moment and sucking on some beers.

Pingu · « **Reply #89 on:** 19 June, 2014, 07:15:32 pm »

Did you see any marmots or vultures?

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #90 on:** 19 June, 2014, 07:36:55 pm »

We think we saw vultures today. No marmottes.

Pingu · « **Reply #91 on:** 20 June, 2014, 10:56:02 pm »

No updates today

Auntie Helen · « **Reply #92 on:** 21 June, 2014, 06:10:10 am »

they were packing up to drive home.

jogler · « **Reply #93 on:** 21 June, 2014, 08:10:03 am »

Quote from: Auntie Helen on 21 June, 2014, 06:10:10 am

they were packing up to drive home.

similar to the England W.C. team

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #94 on:** 21 June, 2014, 10:02:55 am »

Sorry folks, we were busy packing up last night and are now on the motorway driving home.

Yesterday was our final ride, Lautaret and Galibier. We drove to La Grave and then biked from there so not such a long ride. My legs took a while to wake up after the previous days exertions.

Some time next week I will post some more photos. I'm sure the rest of the boys will do the same. In the meantime there are loads on Facebook, it's so much easier to post on FB. It we're not already FB buddies feel free to send a request, just search for Steve Rowley. I think there is also a link in my profile.

It has been an amazing experience with three of the best riding chums you could hope to know. My expectations of the trip were high before we left and I was worried I'd be disappointed. As it turned out my expectations were surpassed by a significant margin. It going to be really hard going back to work on Monday.

delthebike · « **Reply #95 on:** 21 June, 2014, 11:49:35 pm »

Quote from: peliroja on 14 June, 2014, 11:53:19 am

Don't go overcooking the descents for the benefit of the footage! Have fun.

Someone could have told me!!

delthebike · « **Reply #96 on:** 21 June, 2014, 11:56:59 pm »

Quote from: Pingu on 19 June, 2014, 07:15:32 pm

Did you see any marmots or vultures?

I saw a marmot while coming down Galibier.

A couple of eagles and a couple of vultures have also been spotted throughout the week.

ETA:
I'm starting to put images up, starting with route images. Essex Boys in the Alps.
And dodgy video wot I took!

Oscar's Dad arrivee 'O' Bar @ Alpe d'Huez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTx7fMj2tHU&feature=youtu.be

I fell off the mountain!
http://youtu.be/WpZ8n46EkNI

My Garmin says that we had 11410m of ascent for the week and much of that was >7% with short sections ~10-15%.

Now have pictures and some captions here

A short descent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXO-__cOL8

Pingu · « **Reply #97 on:** 22 June, 2014, 08:41:27 am »

Quote from: delthebike on 21 June, 2014, 11:56:59 pm

I fell off the mountain!
http://youtu.be/WpZ8n46EkNI

Mrs P's nemesis: tunnel mal éclair

CrazyEnglishTriathlete · « **Reply #98 on:** 22 June, 2014, 11:50:41 am »

Thanks for the pics. It will be and zigzag in the Alps in a weeks time.

Oscar's dad · « **Reply #99 on:** 22 June, 2014, 06:48:35 pm »

After an amazing week real life has bitten back (my dad isn't at all well) so further posts from me might have to wait a few days. Back soon ...