Luc Alphand is a mad adventure sport guy in france. He races
the Paris-Dakar rally and all sorts of nutso stuff. He lives in the mountains
near Briancon and has a created this cyclospotif. It has 3 different routes to
choose from. The shortest route is the one we chose. It’s about 85k over into
Italy and back. We chose it because, it’s awesome, it’s easier, and Wonderboy
is actually old enough to register for it. Woohoo.
We decided that we would attack it in an “every man for
himself” approach. Wonderboy and I put the smack down from the start and flew
into Briancon. Here I found our mystery guest for the day – Olivieri!
Olivieri is a renowned Aussie cyclist, living on the
Northern beaches and riding with the elite cycling group The Cluster. In Australia
he is often know as Oliver, however in Italy, the locals call him Olivieri.
The French weather had been tough to Olivieri, and few k’s
had been achieved since coming to france, so, we took the climb of Mongenevre conservatively.
Not far from the top I noticed MissP was just behind and approaching. Looks
like every man for himself has become a team effort. Such is cycling!
From here we flew down the descent into Italy…. Wooohooooo!
Getting some great team riding happening we made great time
along the Italian valley to Bardonecia (where we had dinner on the way to
Flumet – and no… I didn’t ask for more directions to France).
It’s so awesome flying through Italy with the Caribinari (spelling??)
stopping traffic in all directions as you zoon through an intersection. I feel
like I’m in the Giro d’Italia the way we’re treated!
Next we’re climbing the Col de l’echelle – such a famous Cluster climb. After regrouping at the top, MissP headed off
as Olivieri posed for the obligatory photo. “No problem” I thought. We’ll just
pick her up on the road back in. “Easy”.
All I’m going to say about the run back to the finish is
that … yes we did catch MissP. Ok… it took Olivieri and I swapping leads and
working flat out to achieve it, but despite whatever MissP is going to write in
those highly inaccurate footnotes… we did catch her (fullstop!). And it was
sooo much fun!
Once again, wonderboy was waiting at the finish, very
refreshed and relaxed. He’d had a very fast and tough ride, being dropped on
the descent into Italy (a very smart move as these guys are super descenders
and that descent is super fast), then working through Italy only to find L’Echell
tough after so much earlier work. It’s all great learning.
Then we headed into Briancon for a celebratory lunch with
Olivieri, and then jumped in the car and headed back to Flumet.
Wonderboy... last seen...shortly after this photo disappearing up the road ... again!
Top of Montgenevre
Olivieri and MissP contemplate the Col de l'Echelle
I made some Italian friends... MissP was not so impressed!
Olivieri contemplates the view that terrified the Cluster long ago!
And here it is!! Looks nasty!
Olivieri - King of l'Echelle!
At least the Café had the right name!
What's this... me drinking beer... yep it was a feat worthy of not letting Olivieri drink alone!
NEWSFLASH..........................
Results are in ...Wonderboy 6th in his age group !! Awesome!!!
Paula's footnotes - Short and sweet. Yes the boys caught me but only after I held them off for about 20km and I decided to STOP so they could catch me.
WMM also down a few points after his efforts with the local Italian men - Id rather climb Galibier 12 times then run into these characters again.
Wonderboy looking like a total cycling pro, MissP having her pick of the local Italians...and Mikey boy sucking back beer with his ol' mate AND an 85km bike ride through 2 countries - not a bad day really.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the prizemoney for 6th Wonderboy????
ReplyDeleteDo you get to carry/throw the water bottles for the next stage of The Tour?
You know the real reason I didn't come was because I was worried that wonder boy as he is know known would beat me! This all looks too amazing .. I'm definately definately not not thinking of youz when I'm riding at 7degrees in the dark
ReplyDelete