Fireflies Tour 2013: Stage 1 - Evian to La Clusaz

Phew. What a start. Total distance 124 km with 2,750 m of climbing. The slow group (including me, of course) set off at 09:00 after breakfast and a team photo, straight up a nasty little hill from the lake. The 1,712 m Col de Joux plane was mercifully closed, so we went round to the East of it, up a very pretty col, to the accompaniment of sheep and cow bells. A mad descent followed to a lunch stop in the valley at Samoens.

Unfortunately I missed the lunch stop sign and pushed on a few km further before having a very pleasant solo meal at Morillon. Salad, steak and chips, peach tart and coffee may have been a bit over the top, I suppose, but it did taste good. The group went past just as I finished, and I tagged on for a flattish ride to Cluses, followed by the day's main event: the ascent and descent of the formidable Col de la Columbieres.

This is a very tough (though spectacularly beautiful) 17 km with over 1,100 m of ascent that tops out at around 12 per cent. I wasn't last, quite, and even managed a short sprint at the end, cheered on by the Swarm, bless them.

Then another sweeping downhill and a short pull up to La Clusaz.

There were some clouds and a few damp roads, but the weather was good throughout. I am going to be stiff tomorrow. I hope the route isn't tougher still...