Fireflies Tour 2013: Stage 2 - La Clusaz to Albertville

Today was tougher than yesterday, but the weather was sunny and positively hot. It started with an easy 25 km down to the beautiful lake at Annecy for coffee, and then a slightly harder 35 km across to Thones for a decent lunch – rather spoiled for me as my sunglasses went missing.

However, after an easy (and beautiful) start, the afternoon was a different matter. We were faced with five cols culminating with the Col des Aravis (1,486 m) and the fearsome Col des Saisies (1,650 m). Total distance was 142 km with 2,800 m of climbing – though there was a fine 30 km downhill run to our hotel at Albertville.

Pretty tiring, but we've just heard that tomorrow will be even tougher: 157 km and an unbelievable – and maybe impossible – 4,500 m of ascent, mostly on two near-2,000 m iconic Tour de France climbs – la Madalaine (just opened to cyclists and motorcycles) and Glandon. Both look pretty steep on the handout.

So I need to get some sleep. I'll hope to fill in today's details as well as Thursday's' epic on Friday, which is a rest day.