Home, jetlagged and already reminiscing how good it all was.
The plane trip, extended out to a 48 hr journey home certainly draws a distinct line between holidays and home. Glad to be home, but struggling to get into a normal sleep/wake pattern, I get unbelievably sleepy about 6 each evening, eventually go to bed and then wake around 2 wondering what to do.
Back to routine and work next week,.....but must plan another trip, it was too good not to do again. Hopefully this will be continued....
Regards
BB
Friday, August 10, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
last one - the trip home
Bon jour,
I thought the journey was all but done, and I had mixed feelings about leaving, but alas there is nothing like spending extra time in airport queues to give one a real sense of urgency to get home. A cancelled flight and 8 hours in a french style queue (they have no idea - so many reasons to have to jump to the front) awaiting a new flight schedule and finally getting to a hotel at 3:30 in the morning was a "travel experience" which would be best forgotten, but will probably end up being most memorable.
I am now happily ensconced at the Mercure hotel in the middle of a remote Gallic field, by the expressway.... there is no where to go. However, I have been well fed which is good as I am still in a perpetual state of hunger and now await lunch and a taxi to the airport to attempt embarkation and a return to Oz Mark II..... I am hopeful that the next entry to this blog will be the epilogue written from the comfort of my own loungeroom.
So for now wish me bon journey, and soon it should be g'day.
BB
no photos... don't want to see an airport again, ocean travel becomes more attractive.
I thought the journey was all but done, and I had mixed feelings about leaving, but alas there is nothing like spending extra time in airport queues to give one a real sense of urgency to get home. A cancelled flight and 8 hours in a french style queue (they have no idea - so many reasons to have to jump to the front) awaiting a new flight schedule and finally getting to a hotel at 3:30 in the morning was a "travel experience" which would be best forgotten, but will probably end up being most memorable.
I am now happily ensconced at the Mercure hotel in the middle of a remote Gallic field, by the expressway.... there is no where to go. However, I have been well fed which is good as I am still in a perpetual state of hunger and now await lunch and a taxi to the airport to attempt embarkation and a return to Oz Mark II..... I am hopeful that the next entry to this blog will be the epilogue written from the comfort of my own loungeroom.
So for now wish me bon journey, and soon it should be g'day.
BB
no photos... don't want to see an airport again, ocean travel becomes more attractive.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Briancon and Col d'Izoard
Final days riding for most, and for me a rest.
Bit of an early start, the alarm at 7:00 was not welcome, but shook ouselves out of bed breakfasted and hopped in the car to drive to Briancon, which on the other side of Col de lauteret. Picked up Tony from camp Bourg and then travelled in convoy with Tom and Ted to Briancon and the foot of the col d'Izoard. From here most set out down the road for the more classic approach to the col from Guilestre. Me, I went for coffee, a tour of the old fort which sits above Briancon, bit of shopping, lashed out on lunch, icecream another coffee, a haircut and rest/read in the park...... nice. By which time the others had completed their loop over the Izoard and were back in the car park.
The ride was reported as an other excellent alpine tour .... the photos will have to tell the story.
Briancon for R&R tourist day was excellent, highest major town in France at around 1,100 m. The old fort was interesting harbouring a thriving array of artisan shops, restaurants and assorted historical stuff was well worth the visit.
Back in Ornon for our final dinner tonight was mix celebration of the end of the trip and not sure that I want it to end. Am looking forward to being home, but have had the best of times being here for the last month.
Ah well, that's enough, here are a few pics from the Izoard and it's bon noir for the last of these blogs.
BB.
Bit of an early start, the alarm at 7:00 was not welcome, but shook ouselves out of bed breakfasted and hopped in the car to drive to Briancon, which on the other side of Col de lauteret. Picked up Tony from camp Bourg and then travelled in convoy with Tom and Ted to Briancon and the foot of the col d'Izoard. From here most set out down the road for the more classic approach to the col from Guilestre. Me, I went for coffee, a tour of the old fort which sits above Briancon, bit of shopping, lashed out on lunch, icecream another coffee, a haircut and rest/read in the park...... nice. By which time the others had completed their loop over the Izoard and were back in the car park.
The ride was reported as an other excellent alpine tour .... the photos will have to tell the story.
Briancon for R&R tourist day was excellent, highest major town in France at around 1,100 m. The old fort was interesting harbouring a thriving array of artisan shops, restaurants and assorted historical stuff was well worth the visit.
Back in Ornon for our final dinner tonight was mix celebration of the end of the trip and not sure that I want it to end. Am looking forward to being home, but have had the best of times being here for the last month.
Ah well, that's enough, here are a few pics from the Izoard and it's bon noir for the last of these blogs.
BB.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
La Berarde
New ride today... La Berarde, recommended by Helyn, the ride that convinced them to move here.
The now usual slow start, no one moves before breakfast is being served and the the casual French style start to the day has been accepted as the way to go.... I certainly appreciate it being a not so morning type person.
La Berarde, an out and back journey to the southeast of Bourg d' Oisans along one of the lesser known valleys. The route followed the narrow valley floor along side a wild white water river, the grades were generally moderate with a couple of serious rises whre the grades averaged 10% for a couple of km just to remind us that there is no easy ride in the Alps. However, having achieved most of the required elevation by St Christophe en Oisans we stopped for coffee and from here were afforded the pleasure of quite rides gentle grades and yet more spectacular alpine/sub alpine scenery on route to La Berarde, our final destination and lunch.
The route home is a reflection of the efforts to get there and this offered 30 km of gentle undulations and downhill....just makes you love riding your bike.
Except for the driveway, the final ascent home (7 km 400m) must always be done, but this being the 10th time this month it now has a fairly routine acceptance and in no time was back at Kingof the Mountains again tucking into more pasta and cake to finish the days ride.
From here it's mostly R&R and consider tomorrow's events.
Now a few photos of the day, and then to bed to prepare for the final part of this tour, so
Bon Noir
BB
The now usual slow start, no one moves before breakfast is being served and the the casual French style start to the day has been accepted as the way to go.... I certainly appreciate it being a not so morning type person.
La Berarde, an out and back journey to the southeast of Bourg d' Oisans along one of the lesser known valleys. The route followed the narrow valley floor along side a wild white water river, the grades were generally moderate with a couple of serious rises whre the grades averaged 10% for a couple of km just to remind us that there is no easy ride in the Alps. However, having achieved most of the required elevation by St Christophe en Oisans we stopped for coffee and from here were afforded the pleasure of quite rides gentle grades and yet more spectacular alpine/sub alpine scenery on route to La Berarde, our final destination and lunch.
The route home is a reflection of the efforts to get there and this offered 30 km of gentle undulations and downhill....just makes you love riding your bike.
Except for the driveway, the final ascent home (7 km 400m) must always be done, but this being the 10th time this month it now has a fairly routine acceptance and in no time was back at Kingof the Mountains again tucking into more pasta and cake to finish the days ride.
From here it's mostly R&R and consider tomorrow's events.
Now a few photos of the day, and then to bed to prepare for the final part of this tour, so
Bon Noir
BB
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Balcony ride
The sun was up, breakfast was ready, but there was little movement in the house. It seemed no one was getting out of bed till the last possible moment..... becoming a little weary perhaps.
But it wasn't long before refueling was done, adorned in lycra we were again rolling down the Ornon Valley road on route to a tour of the balcony roads etched into the cliffs way above the valley floor.
This is a most spectacular ride, possible because after the inevitable climbing out of the valley we get the rare opportunity to traverse heights at minimal/easy grades approx 1000m above the valley floor. The origins of the balcony roads is a question.... as to what possessed anyone to carve these into the cliffside.... possibly the original access to the alpine areas,.... whatever they now make for a most spectacular back road tour.
The ride was 80 km in distance and incorporated the usual 2000 metres of climbing..... there are no easy days.
Greg was today's guest rider, a friend and helper for Guy and Helen who happily cruised along up and down hill and dale while the 3 of us panted along beside/ behind attempting to imitate his cool ease of ascending ...Ha! Was good company, knows the area well and was never out of breath enough to stop the banter.... not always so easy to respond.
Overall, another great ride... one of my favourites.
Then into the trough for a cool off, more food, watch the time trial on telly and do very little more. For once happy to relax and do nothing. Off to dinner in Bourg de Oisans tonight and maybe an early night.
A few pics of the day........
Au revoir
BB
But it wasn't long before refueling was done, adorned in lycra we were again rolling down the Ornon Valley road on route to a tour of the balcony roads etched into the cliffs way above the valley floor.
This is a most spectacular ride, possible because after the inevitable climbing out of the valley we get the rare opportunity to traverse heights at minimal/easy grades approx 1000m above the valley floor. The origins of the balcony roads is a question.... as to what possessed anyone to carve these into the cliffside.... possibly the original access to the alpine areas,.... whatever they now make for a most spectacular back road tour.
The ride was 80 km in distance and incorporated the usual 2000 metres of climbing..... there are no easy days.
Greg was today's guest rider, a friend and helper for Guy and Helen who happily cruised along up and down hill and dale while the 3 of us panted along beside/ behind attempting to imitate his cool ease of ascending ...Ha! Was good company, knows the area well and was never out of breath enough to stop the banter.... not always so easy to respond.
Overall, another great ride... one of my favourites.
Then into the trough for a cool off, more food, watch the time trial on telly and do very little more. For once happy to relax and do nothing. Off to dinner in Bourg de Oisans tonight and maybe an early night.
A few pics of the day........
Au revoir
BB
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Col de Galibier via Lauteret
Another day dawns, but my bed beckons me to stay a little longer, a bit of extra recovery won't go astray. But pretty soon I can hear the clatter of breakfast bowls and I don't want to miss out, so up and at em, gotta fuel up and hit those waiting hills.
Today is Col de Galibier, a long steady climb to Col de Lauteret (approx 50 km) and then turn left for a final 8km climb to Galibier at the lofty height of 2,600 m ASL. Most was fairly steady being less than 8% , bar the final oxygen deprived 1 km at 11% to arrive at the final destination - Col de Galibier.
Satisfaction was great, congratulations and photos to record the moment and then the 40 km descent.
Worthy of note was an aging Fabio or the French equivalent who arrived at the top in little but speedos and runners. Rob was immediatly attracted to him, perhaps the tanned leather skin, the sinewy hide with a generous fur covering strutting amongst the crowds, but alas he failed to get him in our team photo.
The ride home was abbreviated with more food and Gerry buying odd nick nacks from odd shops. Eventually ice creams at Boug and on to the driveway for a well earned rest and yes.... more food.
and that will be all for today... some pics and then
Bon noir
BB
Today is Col de Galibier, a long steady climb to Col de Lauteret (approx 50 km) and then turn left for a final 8km climb to Galibier at the lofty height of 2,600 m ASL. Most was fairly steady being less than 8% , bar the final oxygen deprived 1 km at 11% to arrive at the final destination - Col de Galibier.
Satisfaction was great, congratulations and photos to record the moment and then the 40 km descent.
Worthy of note was an aging Fabio or the French equivalent who arrived at the top in little but speedos and runners. Rob was immediatly attracted to him, perhaps the tanned leather skin, the sinewy hide with a generous fur covering strutting amongst the crowds, but alas he failed to get him in our team photo.
The ride home was abbreviated with more food and Gerry buying odd nick nacks from odd shops. Eventually ice creams at Boug and on to the driveway for a well earned rest and yes.... more food.
and that will be all for today... some pics and then
Bon noir
BB
Monday, July 30, 2012
Alps - Col de la Croix de Fer and Glandon
I sometimes wonder whatever possessed anyone to bring a bicycle to the Alps. The valley floor is dead flat and tedious, the hills arising on all sides are outrageous near vertical walls of rock leading to snow capped peaks. It has however become some type of cycling Mecca and today we paid homage to another hill...... Col de la Croix de Fer with the Col de Glandon thrown in as an extra being a minor diversion from the main route to Croix de Fer. 90 km of riding with 2000 m of climbing is pretty much our standard daily ride
Todays highlights were the company of Tom and Ted (Maine, USA) and Tony (Tasmania - near Australia), good weather yet again, more food, the descent, the driveway and the cow trough, rest and more food.
And that's about it for now... the photos can tell the story and I'm off to bed.
Bon Noir
BB
Todays highlights were the company of Tom and Ted (Maine, USA) and Tony (Tasmania - near Australia), good weather yet again, more food, the descent, the driveway and the cow trough, rest and more food.
And that's about it for now... the photos can tell the story and I'm off to bed.
Bon Noir
BB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)