Final day

Everyone was up early ready for the last push onto Monaco, once all the bottles had been filled and the bikes had been checked we set off about 8.30.

As per usual the Garmin gave us issues leaving town but once we made it through we had open roads for miles. 20 miles into the ride our so called GPS tried to send us through somebody's private road causing stuart to a puncture and ending with a big detour as we couldn't stay on the main road because it turned to motorway.

 We started coming to more climbs even though we had now got used to them they still dragged on especially in 40 degree heat, we knew the van had been waiting at the top with refreshments so we pushed on up.

 

After our break at the summit we hit some of the best corners on a long decent down to Cannes any motorcyclists dream roads.

Once at the bottom we headed for coast line riding all the way along from Cannes to nice taking in the scenery and the elegant yachts in the various harbours on route.

We arrived at our hotel dropping our bags off ready for the last 16 miles in to Monaco.

2 miles into the last part of the ride George buckled his wheel and Andy snapped 2 spokes.

We pushed on with one more climb up the coastal road eventually arriving at Monaco and finishing at the marina after 831 miles we had been in the saddle for 10 days.

We have lots of photos and pictures to put on the blog so please keep checking to see more of the trip.

 

Day 11 day of the climb

Today has been an all time high.

We left our hotel about 7:30 after noticing the garmin route had planned to take us over some un paved roads, so we rerouted our selfs down the main trunk roads out of town.

The Sun was coming up already in the 20s, the first thing we had to do was stop in Sisteron to restock on water and grab something to eat.

Setting of from Sisteron the roads had been nice and flat running through some very picturesque villages and landscape this helped to keep a good pace going.

Well into the ride we came up against our first major climb, this climbed for a good couple of miles up with some unbelievable views well above 2000ft above sea level. Once at the top we started to descend down some of the best newly laid roads ever getting some serious speed between tight hairpins. At the bottom we grouped and everyone seemed to be on a natural high.

We arrange to meet for lunch when Andy managed to snap a spoke in his rear wheel resulting in a buckled wheel luckily right near the arranged stop. Phil gave the Team a lesson on how to replace a spoke and with minutes removed the buckle and the wheel returned to new.

 

After lunch we came up against our second big climb, again this had spectacular views and fresh springs that Keir made the most of. A beautiful Ferrari stopped to take pictures of the view then accelerated away echoing through the valley then we stopped for a break and a Tour de France team Ag2r-La Mondiale car came past giving us a toot.

Again at the summit we had a cracking decent over 1000ft and across couple of miles.

This went on all day making for a really enjoyable day for all concerned.

Day 10

Wow what a day! Started off by looking out of the window just to be greated with heavy rain and thunder and lightning and the roads looked like rivers and the temperature had dropped to 13 degrees..

After a team chat about should we go or not or take a train for safety? We decided that we had come here to cycle and had gone so far so this was not going to stop us.

Once we had made sure all the lights were working on the bikes and we had all our wet gear on we set off.

The first part leaving town had been like riding through a river with heavy rain, loud thunder and lightning filling the sky highlighting the mountains.

Once out of town we had started our assent up 3855ft this was to go on for 42 miles.

We seemed to be climbing in to the clouds which became unnerving as the lightning had been striking the mountain next to us.

We had planned to meet the support vehicle around about 15 miles due to the horrific weather but on approaching it we thought the best thing to do would be to carry on and keep warm rather than chance any one getting cold. So we carried on for 35 miles where we stopped at a lovely park area surrounded by mountains and the sun trying to come up.

Here we changed in to dry clothes and had a quick coffee then carried on. 

We started straight in to the climb again for the next 10 miles reaching the summit taking photos with the sign.

 From here on in it was all down hill, we averaged about 21 mph from this point down especially now the sun had started to come out.

Some of the roads had been re surfaced for the Tour de France so this made for a quick surface. There had been stunning views all the way down to the hotel with some of the best roads I have ever cycled on.

We had kept together with a good pace making good time to the hotel arriving after 85 miles in temperatures now of 32 degrees.

This had to be the best day riding on this adventure.

 

Day 9 rest day

Well for our so called rest day myself ( Stuart ) And Nav decided to challenge ourselves and meet the rest of the team at a bar at the top of a cable car. So we set of nice and early taking a leisurely ride  through the town arriving at the foot of a 30% graded assent!

Switch Backs

 

 This was a tough climb with short and long steep switch backs that took all our effort to reach the summit that had been 1090ft up over 1.5 miles.
Once at the top we patted ourselves on the back and headed to the bar treated ourselves to a beer and meet up with the rest of the team.

It turned into a relaxed afternoon sitting outside a bar enjoying the company, looking down on Grenoble and taking in the breath taking views.

At the end of this all we had to do was descend, 2 by bike, 1 walked and the rest in a cable car that looked like light bulbs and where probably as hot inside!

Day 8 Ride to Grenoble

After a warm nights sleep in what seemed to be a hostel! we made are way at 06:00 towards Grenoble.

Start of day 8

The team had been expecting a very undulating route due to the change in terrain but lucky for us the first 50 miles turned out to be flat at most rolling hills.
We arranged to meet Chris (support Driver) for Breakfast after 30 miles but the team managed to split up so we decided to meet up further down the road.

Breakfast by the river

Waiting for the team that didn't arrive!

We had refueled on lunch and headed off arriving at a town called Le Fagot, This had surprised us with a 695 meter climb.
After A cracking decent down the other side we managed to find a bike shop in the lovly town called Voiron so Kelvin managed to get his bottom bracket fixed. The shop assistant had been taken back by the length of the ride so insisted there be no charge.
The last part of the ride became very difficult due to the temperature rising above 100 degrees with a warm wind to boot. The surface had become very rough due to the years of snow clearing by snow ploughs.
Arriving at our Mercure hotel it had been a pleasant surprise to find out we had very nice rooms with air con and a had been aloud to leave the bikes in a conferance hall.

Truck stop lunch

What delights

Top of the hill after Le Fagot



start of the hill



Voiron

Hotel