Todays profile, lots of "official" climbs... its gonna be a tough day
Do you even need to ask? of course we are heading that way
The mountain of death - some people have a poor sense of humour!
Im pleased to say that my Trek madone was in slightly better nick than this "bike"
The waterfall heading up the Glandon seemed so inviting, temps had reached high 30s again, and additional water stops were essential to get through the day.
Looking down on the lake from 3/4 of the way up the Glandon - simply spectacular views!
That's where we came up earlier...and will be gong back down it again on stage 20!
Finally, at the summit "Ant and Dec" (as we have been nicknamed) celebrate! It was a swift descent down to the valley - I've ridden it before, so was fairly confident going into the corners - I managed to get to a fairly controlled c50mph.
Then it was onto the "Hollywood" climb of the stage - only 4km long, but 18 hairpins, from a distance you look like you are riding up a wall
You want a road with hairpins? I give to you the lacets de Montvernier
It might have only been a short climb, but coming towards the end of the stage and the 7th, YES 7th categorised climb of the day I was pleased to see this sign at the top as we entered the village.
A descent, and then flatish run in to the end of the stage was all that we had left to do, and then get showered and start the recovery process...or so we thought!
Sarah told us that the luggage van had been stopped by Inspector Clouseau and his mates, and they had been taken off to the nearest weighbridge where they were given the good news that they were gong to be fined and about 30bags needed to be unloaded and taken on a different trip. wanna take a guess who's bag might have been one of the 30? Yep, yours truly - Sarah was obviously feeling sorry for both me and Si, as she then produced 2 "team management" T shirts for us to change into while we waited for our bags (which arrived at 10pm!). All of a sudden we had been elevated to "management" - did we milk it? you bet we did!
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