WE SPENT OUR SECOND DAY IN LA GRAVE, FRANCE. TODAY WAS AN INTERIM DAY THAT ALLOWED US SEVERAL OPTIONS. WE COULD TOUR THE TOWN, TAKE A GONDOLA TO 9,000 FEET AND HAVE LUNCH, DO LAUNDRY OR GO FOR ONE OF MANY OPTIONAL RIDES.
MICHELLE TOURED THIS WONDERFUL TOWN AND DID OUR LAUNDRY IN PREPARATION FOR THE DAYS AHEAD. MY FRIEND LIAM AND I DECIDED TO TAKE ON ANOTHER OF THE MAJOR TOUR DE FRANCE CLIMBS, COL DE GALIBIER. A BEAST OF MORE THAN 2,500 METERS (7,500 FEET). THE CLIMB WAS BEAUTIFUL WITH THE ALPS SURROUNDING US ON ALL SIDES.
THE TEMPERATURE WAS PERFECT AS WE STARTED OUT BUT IT DROPPED SHAPELY AS WE MOVED UP THE COL. THE TEMPERATURE PLUNGED TO 32 DEGREES AND THE WIND PICKED UP. I WAS DRESSED IN MY CYCLING SHORTS, A VEST AND ARM WARMERS. I COULD HAVE USED A DOWN JACKET! WE SUMMITED, TOOK A FEW PICTURES TO CONFIRM WE REACHED THE TOP OF THE COL AND HEADED DOWN. IT WAS FREEZING.
WE STOPPED ON THE DESCENT TO WARM UP. A HOT CHOCOLATE WAS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED. THEN, TO OUR GOOD FORTUNE, BRUNO OUR TOUR LEADER SHOWED UP IN THE VAN, LOADED OUR BIKES AND BROUGHT US THE 10 MILES BACK TO OUR HOTEL.
TOMORROW IS ANOTHER BIG DAY OF CLIMBING. THE FORECAST IS FOR RAIN AND 35 DEGREE WEATHER.
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