just got this email from chain-ganger Simon Tyler, get the full story and photos at saltedmackerel.cc
"Hi Chris,
Catching up on the recent blog posts - I reckon I did a noteworthy number of Alpine hills this summer!
Glandon / Telegraph / Galibier / Alpe d'Huez in a day
The Glandon was psychologically tough being the first of four. When I got to the base of the Telegraph I felt much happier about it all, and span my way past a good few hundred riders, and the same on the Galibier.
On the descent of the Galibier one of my contact lenses fell out just as I was entering the first big and very dark tunnel. I stuck my sunglasses back on to stop the other one falling out too (quite dry eyes by that point) - the sensation of hurtling through a pitch black road tunnel with the blur of headlights coming towards you and a distant light at the other end being the only things giving you any idea where to steer was not very pleasant.
The Alpe was a b****** too, for obviously reasons. I actually think it's a pretty ugly and uninspiring climb - the only reason it's featured so much in racing is the infrastructure at the top which means it works well as a race finish.
Ventoux - Classic route from Bedoin, then again from Sault the following day.
On the descent of the Galibier one of my contact lenses fell out just as I was entering the first big and very dark tunnel. I stuck my sunglasses back on to stop the other one falling out too (quite dry eyes by that point) - the sensation of hurtling through a pitch black road tunnel with the blur of headlights coming towards you and a distant light at the other end being the only things giving you any idea where to steer was not very pleasant.
The Alpe was a b****** too, for obviously reasons. I actually think it's a pretty ugly and uninspiring climb - the only reason it's featured so much in racing is the infrastructure at the top which means it works well as a race finish.
Ventoux - Classic route from Bedoin, then again from Sault the following day.
Ventoux was tough too, but the experience made up for that many times over.
Aravis from Flumet, then
Colombiere / Croix Fry / Aravis / Saisies the next day.
Not bad at all.
Next year I want to try the Ventoux triple (or Cingles) - Ventoux from all three routes (Bedoin / Malaucene / Sault) in a day.
Also working on a Zurich - Venice tour, via Fluela Pass / Stelvio / Gavia / Monte Grappa, etc. Quite a tough week that might turn out to be.
Simon"
C.W.
Aravis from Flumet, then
Colombiere / Croix Fry / Aravis / Saisies the next day.
Not bad at all.
Next year I want to try the Ventoux triple (or Cingles) - Ventoux from all three routes (Bedoin / Malaucene / Sault) in a day.
Also working on a Zurich - Venice tour, via Fluela Pass / Stelvio / Gavia / Monte Grappa, etc. Quite a tough week that might turn out to be.
Simon"
C.W.
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