Several long (10+ km) climbs with 9% to 11% gradient in places, but mostly less. Lots of snow on the peaks and fantastic scenery, with deep narrow gorges, vertical cliffs and rushing rivers. Not much sun and 20+ km/h headwinds on the homeward leg and a very unpleasant final 10 km or so where I expected a flat bit.
Monday was beautiful, warm and sunny, so Wendy, Steve and I got tired legs in gear and did a beautiful 70-odd km ride up the Col d'Herbouilly, down and through the tunnel where the two courses split, then past Echevis, St Eulalie and a coffee stop at the stunningly picturesque Pont-en-Royans at about 200 m. From there it's a steady 30 km climb back up the length of the Gorge to Villard at 1,050 m. There are more pictures of the trip on Flickr.
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| The 'hanging houses' at Pont-en-Royans. |
