Well today was my last day in the French Alps, and I really took it easy as the effects of the past few days were taking their toll and the energy levels were down a little.
I wandered down to the local Church and went to the morning mass. I think "Amen" was about the only word I recognized, and my attendance lowered the average age there by about 10 years.
I called into the photo shop to collect some pictures that a local photographer takes as you near the peak of the Alpe D'Huez and the Col du Galibier. I have snapped these from my iPhone so hopefully they provide some perspective of the slope and effort being exerted. It's quite funny as you round the 2nd last bend and you have this crazy French photographer snapping away and saying "Bonjour, Bonjour" while passing you a photo ticket that I somehow manage to stuff into my back pocket.
Today I rode the local Mountain called Col D'Ornon. It's a short little 12 KM summit that took a little over an hour to climb, and about 15 mins to descend. Plans to have a 2nd crack on Duez were shelved as the temp hit the 30's and my petrol tank was empty. I am just finishing packing all my gear back into my bags, as tomorrow I catch 1 bus and 2 trains on a cross country from here to Grenoble to Paris and then to the little town of Lourdes in the Pyrenees. It will be a 13 hour day, so I have a good book to pass the time as I ride the Bullet Train.
Culinary highlight today was a Chocolate Crepe smothered in Chantilly cream. Very French and very rich.
Till Lourdes from the Cycling Foodie.