Valloire to Le Bourg d’Oisans

What a shocking thing to wake up to…

Yes, Rain!

I was totally unemotionally prepared for that after all of the hot days, even though the forecast was for rain in the afternoon. So… I lolled for a while and then started to pack slowly. I ate half of the left over baguette from yesterday with jam. It had stopped raining by then so I slowly packed and then let the owner know I was leaving.

In town I stopped at the Patisserie where I got the delicious Flan from yesterday and bought another one! As I stood outside eating that the sun came out J

So just after 9am I set off slowly up the mountain. As I knew what to expect from yesterday I took it easy with the steep start. There was a bit of a wind coming down the mountain, and with the roads being wet it was quite cool, but as the road climbed I got warmer.

A few Ks from Valloire there is another town and just past that a flatter area. I was quite sweaty by now and the cold wind was quite biting. In the end I had to stop put on my thermal top. That made things much better, especially since it was still dry.

It was slow riding up the mountain and there are hundreds of cyclists out and about going up and down (same on the other side of the Col). Dozens and dozens passed me on the way up, even 2 touring cyclists!

I made quite reasonable time, only 5 minutes slower than yesterday to where I stopped to watch the Tour. Of course yesterday I was taking my time…

Before:

After:

The section after where I stopped yesterday is only 7 of the 17 Ks to the Col but it makes up 50% of the climbing, so it was basically a slog the whole way. I stopped many times for photos J and to just enjoy the view. The first of the touring cyclists passed when I was putting on sun tan lotion. Not far from there was a cheese shop; obviously I bought a Coke rather than cheese!

The last 3Ks were quite difficult but seemed to breeze by, aided with a shot of Ventolin. I stopped twice per K to enjoy the view and take photos and then in under 3 hours I was at the top! WooHoo. I got someone to take my photo, then put on my Goretex for the descent. After topping up my water bottle from my spare I was off.

The descent down from Galibier to Lautaret is a real rip snorter! Long straights, gentle bends and it just goes on and on. An RV pulled over to let me past and that was the only traffic going my way the entire descent. I saw a few more touring cyclists and dozens of road cyclists. The amazing thing is that you are still at over 2000m at Lautaret!

Once at the Col I went in search of a menu and ended up having a humungous lunch, Menu Cycliste. It was just two courses, Tomato Soup with Cheese, which was really delicious, and spag bog. The spag serve was so large I wasn’t sure I could finish, but I dug in and just managed it J

I got a quick piccy of Col sign and then from there it was another great descent to the town of La Grave. I’ve looked at the map in the past when planning out routes in the area and I’d always thought I’d end up riding through the town, plus I’ve seen it in the Tour, so I’ve always wanted to visit. So, naturally, as it was on the way down, and it was a pretty looking little town, I didn’t even stop!

Another funny thing is that I always thought I’d ride the other way, from Le Bourg d’Oisans over the Galibier and down to Valloire. Now that I’ve seen the roads I’m glad I didn’t because the route up to the Lautaret seems like a long long drag on a moderately busy road.

Glaciers!

Somewhere further down there was a detour for bikes. A ‘Route de Secours’ which takes you off the main road on to what looks to be a service road around a couple of lakes used for hydro power generation. The route was very pleasant, very quiet with only 3 other bicycles and 1 car the whole length; it was a bit lumpy though which was a shock after so much descending.

Then back on to the main road and yet more ripping descents!

Did I mention tunnels? There were several, three were around 700m long, the shortest 44m, and thankfully there was only one uphill tunnel (244m) but with no cars in either direction when I was in it.

After all that I was eventually into the valley where the town is, still over 700m, and it is very hot down here. I was passed by a few packs in the last 5 Ks; I thought about trying to get on, Ho ho ho.

Once into the town the Hotel was right there on the left as soon as you enter town! WooHoo. Done.

It is a very simple room, no TV, the shower is in a bath with no shower curtain (good thing Patrick isn’t here). I showered then went down to the bar to watch today''s stage of the Tour. The stage finished at top of Col d’Izoard for the first time ever. Warren Barguil won the stage. It was a good atmosphere in the bar, noisy but cheerful; I think I would have fallen asleep if I’d been in my room.

With the Tour done I went for a wander around town, it is very small. I don’t recall the town being so small from previous visits, but then the other two times I was here for Le Tour and that was the main focus.

I went back to the room to look at the map but ended up dozing for half an hour instead J I’ve been pondering if I’m really not going to climb Alpe d’Huez tomorrow but I really am too stuffed, so I don’t think so. (I have done it twice before already.)

Then I went out to a place I’d picked for dinner at about 7:15. 3 courses, naturally, with a very nice Terrine, a buttery Trout, and a modest Apple Tarte.

Back in the room I did some work copying, sorting and deleting photos and made a few notes for diary but couldn’t be bothered writing it properly. I’m looking forward to a rest day tomorrow!