France trip 24/9/07

[huw williams]

For all those coming on this:

The flight is at 10.10 on Monday morning 24th. Now this of course will entail lugging bikes and kit from Croydon, through London to Stanstead during rush-hour. NOT GOOD!

So as an alternative there is a left luggage at Liverpool Street where I'm intending to leave my bike on sunday night to spare commuter hell - unless anyone can suggest a better idea.

WEATHER - Had a txt from Munnery at the bottom of Alpe d'huez earlier in the week, said it was 24 degrees - had another text from him 5 hours later from the top of Alpe D Huez saying it was still 24 degrees - so weather looks promising - cold in mornings and on descents though so dress accordingly

SPARE PLACE
Unfortunately Mr Dave Lombari couldn't make it so there is a spare place - so if you want to ride all the big tour cols around Bourg - its from monday 24th to sunday 30th, costs £425 which includes all your food/wine/beer and transfers from Grenoble. Plus you need to get a place on the Ryanair flight leaving Stanstead on Monday

[Andrew G]

Flight change was a potential nightmare, but thankfully my Dad has an old cycling mate who live around the corner from Stanstead so I shall be kipping there Sunday.

[Richard (Apples)]

You could ride there

[Andrew G]

[quote="Richard (Apples)"]You could ride there

[mlocke]

Unfortunately my mum died a few days ago and the funeral is now confirmed for the middle of this week when I was supposed to be going to France so I can no longer make it.

If anyone wants to take my place they are more than welcome, just let me know

If no-one wants this could you arrange an invoice or something please Huw and i'll sort everything out with my insurance as I would assume I still have to pay the balance to the chalet.

Thanks and have a good trip

[Andrew G]

Really sorry to hear such bad news Mark.

[Ian A4size]

You lot could be in for a shock!

Snow on the very top of the alp this very morning!

I'm back now so I am ready to fight my corner- 66kg, shurely the biggest typo of the year.

Had loads of great rides which I will bore everyone with.

Are you staying near the col d'ornon?

[Andrew G]

The time it'll take me to climb it will give it time to melt.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I'll pack my snowboard then

[huw williams]

Ian - We're staying half way up the col'd'ornon

[Brian Nolan]

sorry to hear that about your mum Mark -

brian

[Ian A4size]

We rode out there up and over the col d'ornon and saw the king of the mountains car in the drive!
Its really beautiful out there, we carried on thru to Valbonnais and then went back over la Morte-another 1300m col, then back on the long drag to Bourg, about a 110km ride in total.
If you go out that way take food as there was not a shop in sight.

[Andrew G]

[quote="Ian Munnery"]If you go out that way take food as there was not a shop in sight.

[huw williams]

Stuck to the flat roads then I see

Actually that's a ride I had in mind - every time we finish we'll have to go up that ****ing hill to Ornon at the end

Weather forecast is currently not showing any snow for the Galib or Alpe D but you never know out there. It could sweep in mid-ride and trap the slowest climbers while the rest are enjoying hot coffee back at the hotel

[Ian A4size]

Col d'ornon
la morte
Telegraph
Galibier
The Alpe
Croix de Fer
Col du Mollard

to name a few.

A screaming descent down the lauteret

Ain't no flat round that way matey.

Everywhere is just awesome.