Remember, the team was a little spooked by the climb 2 days
before of the Col du Croix-Fry. So the drive to the start of the Mi-Marmotte
was… quiet… and thoughtful. MissP was doing her best “not happy Jan”
impersonation.
Leaving the car at the start in Valoire created some small
complexity that we needed to catch the bus back, but Wonderboy being too young
to enter, was riding the route with us “unofficially” and hence wasn’t eligible
for a bus ride home… Tricky!
To me, the Col du Galibier is the toughest of the big French
climbs. From Valoire, it’s 17k to the top with long sections of around 10%
reaching an elevation of around 2600m, and you can definitely feel the lack of
oxygen. I had no doubt Wonderboy would take it in his stride, and within
minutes he had disappeared up the road.
For MissP this was a huge challenge, physically and mentally.
But the IronMan that she is would not be overcome. She pressed on to summit,
even finding energy to laugh at my bad jokes and managing to catch the snowball
I threw at her!
And what a view at the top! Galibier was covered in snow.
Just breathtaking!
Just one word to MissP – Chapeau!
At the top we stopped for more photos, and then flew down
the 6k descent to the top of the Col du Lauteret where we had agreed meet up.
Wonderboy was fully recharged and raring to go after his 1+ hour wait, but … lunch
was needed!
After that we flew down to the base of Alpe d’Huez, where
Wonderboy headed up for his first ascent of Alpe d’Huez.
After a short delay MissP arrived, and it was pretty clear
that her day was done. It was hot (around 35 degrees). We tried to rest and
refuel at the drink stop but the heat made it tough. Bravely MissP headed on
to attack the climb, but by turn 17 (about 2k up) it was over. Alpe d’Huez
would have to wait for another day (we’re coming back for the TDF visit next
week!)
All in all, a great day, Wonderboy completing the course
,and suffering and surviving the heat on Alpe d’Huez, and MissP smashing
Galibier!
Oh yeah… and in case you’re wondering about getting back to
the car… well… a “lost” bus ticket and a made up entry number saw Wonderboy on
the bus (did they really think he was over 18?) back to Valoire!
Paula's Footnotes:
Galibier 0 - Paula 1
Alpe d’Huez 1 - Paula 0
What a tough day - hard to compare it to my day on the Ironman circuit but this was a day where satisfaction and disappointment collide. The 17km climb to the top of Galibier for me started in the red zone. I arrived at the start line unconvinced I could make it to the top of the first climb (which is said to be the toughest climb in the world) unhappy, uncomfortable, nervous and unmotivated we set off. Lucky for me WMM kept me in close proximity not letting me out of sight and giving me the right balance of encouragement and space I needed. Slowly the k's clocked by and before long the winning men from the Marmotte were blazing past which offered the right amount of eye candy needed...... Before I knew it we were climbing through snow and I decided it was time for a break and a snow ball fight. Lots of giggles and we were back on it for the final 5km which was also the toughest. Obama and I were on a mission, the final climb was steep but I could see the summit and I knew it would be worth it, and it was. High fives and hugs all round - even with the few Aussie blokes we met at the top. Some happy snaps and refuelling at the snack bar that would confirm my sister's belief that all cyclists' are just in it for the 'picnic'
The decent was freaky, fast and dangerous. One slip and you were flying off the side of a mountain 2600m to your death, I kept my eyes on the white lines on the road to keep me focused and stop me looking over the edge but before long I was enjoying it and taking the corners like I was on the motoGP. Awesome fun.
What an unbelievable day and what fantastic pics - and the smiles are HUGE! Freaking "chapeau" to all 3 of you - bloody awesome.
ReplyDelete