Spectacular scenery as we got closer to the high Alps, with lots of snow still on the tops (and some of the middles)
BLIMEY, they’re big.
Met the rest of the group. All much too young, much too fit, much too eager and they can’t imagine what a couple of pensioners are doing on a bike, ’cause even their parents who are obviously much too sensible for such things aren’t anywhere near collecting their pensions.
Monday (this one is for Mary, who probably does this bike ride each Tuesday when she holidays here)
Climbed to Avoriaz via Morzine.
Avoriaz is a ski station that has been used at various times in the past as a TdF mountain stage finish. 1800m high and featuring quite a lot of 8% climbing. Climbed for 2 hours 14 minutes excluding roadside breather stops. Like some other French climbs there were marker posts every km telling you how far to the top and the average gradient for the next km. Not sure if they are all that encouraging because when you have passed one the next seems a long time and too many hairpin bends before it comes into view.
We set off as early as we could and paused on the climb when we got the opportunity of a bit of shade because it was ridiculously hot again reaching 38 degrees in the valley.
At the top it was as desolate as ski stations always are in the summer, but the views were great and we could actually look down at some snow. Drinks and snacks at the top and a picnic lunch back in Les Gets after a speedy downhill drop. The others said that when they looked down on us we appeared to be a 2-man (probably ought to be person) bobsleigh team, and we should take it up in the veterans category.
We are doing a bit of re-planning of car moving rather than doing a straight 7 day moving on tour, so as to stick to the organised schedule for overnight stops, but give us some flexibility of shortening some days. Otherwise we have no get out options. If any of the others has an off day or part day they can hop in the van / minibus for a bit and put their bike on top, but with our trike this is not an option.