TdF Stage 19 St Jean de Maurienne to La Toussiure

Todays route takes us in 120km loop before the final climb of the day up to La Toussuire...how tempting was it to just do the last climb? Not at all - im loving it, despite all of the aches and pains!

 

Just the 4 climbs today, but they are of the LARGE variety, we start with a Cat 1 straight from the start, then up the Col du Glandon (again) and onto the Croix de Fer - an HC climb, then a shorter climb up the Mollard ( a measly Cat 2), and then a final ascent up to La Toussuire Cat 1. Another tough day in the office ahead me thinks!

 

Not a bad view to start the day eh?

 As we headed up the Col du Chaussy, the road got narrower and was cut into the rockface, some may have been riding a little further to the left than they normally would...with good reason

 

 This was the view from over the side - there's no coming back if you went over the edge

 

Me and the Guv'nr (Phil) at the top of the Col du Chaussy 

 Oh come on, surely you don't even need to ask now? yep that's where we are heading!

 

 I was struggling for pace today, I think I might have had a bit too much sun yesterday, and my legs didn't feel great. Simon was great in nursing me around all day making sure I was drinking regularly, getting into shade when I could etc. I was glad of the support - You are a top banana Si!

 We went back up the Col du Glandon that we descended yesterday (the more difficult side in my opinion), and then on to the little extra bit (3kms) to the top of the Col de la Croix de Fer.

They love their cycling round here - we were offered cold water by people camped at the side of the road 1 week ahead of the pro's going past - it was great to have some support

 

Talking of support, Mum and Dad Yates have been busy over the last few days, as there were plenty of these messages written on the roads in the Alps, in support of the Brits Adam, and Simon Yates.

 

The summit of the Croix de Fer, looking back down towards the summit of the Glandon 

 

North Bucks Road Club "on le Tour"

 

 

On the descent of the Croix de Fer, we came across some other Brits. Having got past them on the descent (they were slow!) they passed us on the climb up to the Col du Mollard. Not wanting them to think we were rubbish riders, I struck up a conversation with one of them. "How far have you been today?" I asked, "oh only about 10kms, how about you?" Well, it depends if you mean just today, or overall...we call this Stage 19 and we started in Utrecht nearly 3 weeks ago "Oh" was the reply, with the previously cocky rider now feeling a little bit inadequate - good luck with your Etape ride gents!

 

The final climb of the day up to La Toussiure was on a road that was really busy (mainly due to the fact that the "Tour etape" was being held on this stage in just a couple of days time, and c15k cyclists were descending into the area. The views weren't great on the way up, and I wondered why the ASO had decided to use this climb as the pinnacle of this stage. Then as we neared the summit, the reasons started to become clearer as we were treated to some spectacular views across the valley below

The finish line for the "Etape" in a couple of days time, our accommodation was just round the corner (I cant call it a hotel, cos they had all been taken by the Etaper's - we stayed in what can only be described as "Basic" accommodation...4 to a room, bunk beds a plenty and no towels provided - oh good?!)

 

Just as I finished, a shout went up from the nearby bar "Andy" - it was only Tim, who had ridden with us on a few of the earlier stages. He was out there to take part in the Etape with a group of mates, it was good to see him again and we agreed to meet up for a couple of cheeky ones later so we could tell him how bad/dangerous/steep/hot it would be..ha ha

 

Todays Capt'n slow stats