Re: Grande Alpe

[MatG]

Day 4

The day started with a gentle descent on wide roads & no hair pins – so I could ride with the group which was good. I was even working at the front keeping the pace up.

Rode to base of Col d’Izoard – which has nickname Col is hard. To be honest it was the normal 20km up no harder than others.

Next came 20km descent – the panic & screaming in my head seemed louder than usual – and mate said “What is that horrible noise” – I realised it was my brakes over heating & the rims screaming “let go of me” this made me even more of a chicken.

Another valley floor hack to the base of the last climb of the day. This climb was fine, in the groupetto. The descent was slow, for me anyway. Luckily one guy waited for me & then we time trialled to the day’s end point (averaging 40kph).

Arriving in the town we asked if anyone knew where the hotel was & was told “I think it is still open after the fire”. We got to the hotel which was open a few windows black outside. The owner insisted we take off our cycling shoes so it didn’t ruin his carpet. The carpet looked like it flood damaged stock in 1950! They then insisted we pay for room before the reception closed at night – I expect they usually charge for the rooms by the hour!

Stats

Day 127km

Ascent 2351m

Cols 3 –

Col de Lauterat 2058m

Col d’Izoard 2360m

Col de Vars 2019m

Basil Fawlty like hotel owners 1

Screaming Wheel Rims 1

Screaming bike riders 1 (me)

Total

distance 551km

ascent 11560m