French Trip

4 - 11 September 2010

Mont Ventoux and Alpe d'Huez

_______

Garstang Cycling Club literally reached new heights when twelve of their members took a trip to Southern France to ride two of the toughest Tour de France climbs.

After driving down on Saturday 4th September to their base – a rented ‘Gite’ in the village of Charpey, near Valence, a good night’s sleep was all that was on their minds, although a good meal and a first sample of the local 'vin rouge' was also very welcome.

The village of Charpey	Our Gite - 'Domaine de Charpey'

The first day’s cycling  the following day was a warm up of 50 miles to Saint Antoine L’Abbaye, deservedly designated as ‘One of the most beautiful villages in France'. With temperatures in the high twenties and clear blues skies, the cycling was superb along quiet, pot-hole free roads. Situated in the hills north-east of Valence, this picturesque village provided an idyllic stop for lunch before a long, spectacular descent, with stunning views across to the limestone cliffs of the Vercours National Park, and more substantial mountains further east which were to be visited later in the week.

In the square at Saint Antoine l'Abbaye	Seeking a bit of shade!

Monday required an early start to drive south to Carpentras and the start of the day’s riding, which was to include the ascent of ‘The Giant of Provence’ Mont Ventoux. After fifteen miles warm up on roads which were gradually gaining altitude, the village of Bedoin was reached and the start of the ascent of this beast of a mountain. The sun was beating down and the temperature was now 30°C. From the first bend, the road rears up through the forested hillside, and bend after bend the climbing is relentless. In the heat, and pestered by flies, one by one the group emerged in their own time onto the upper slopes of the mountain. From here the views open up across the Alpes Maritime and the mountain is barren, covered in shattered limestone to reflect the sun’s heat even more. Still a long way to the top! Eventually the summit was reached after more than thirty miles of continuous climbing. Varying levels of fitness, and ages ranging from 38 to 60 years meant the group was well split up on the mountain, but each rider had given their all by the time the top was reached. The two team support ladies who had driven up were a welcome sight at the top, handing out drinks, bananas, and warm tops to combat the cooler winds blowing over the summit. On the exhilarating 23 kilometre sweeping descent to the valley bottom, speeds of up to 55mph were reached!

What goes up....	......eventually goes down!

The other big day of the week was the ascent of the most famous of Tour de France climbs – Alpe d’Huez. Not as big, or as gruelling as Mont Ventoux, but nevertheless a serious proposition for any cyclist. Leaving the flat roads of the Oisans Valley at Bourg d’Oison, there are 21 hairpin bends to negotiate before reaching the top. It was cooler than the Ventoux day which helped enormously as the group hauled themselves and their bikes up the slopes, even managing to admire the stunning views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Ticking off the numbered hairpins – each dedicated to a Tour legend - the team eventually emerged one by one onto the chilly summit. Photos were duly taken at the conveniently placed podium before hot drinks and the descent to Bourg d’Oisons for lunch in the warm sunshine. At the top of both climbs, some riders were checking  their watches to see how fast they had made it, whilst others were doing it just for the challenge of getting to the top of these legendary mountains. One thing for sure was all the riders had done what they set out to do and fulfilled their own personal ambitions. Everyone was a winner!

The winding road to the top	A well deserved reward for our chairman!

On the overnight ferry back from Zeebrugge everyone agreed that it had been an incredibly rewarding week. Garstang Cycling Club had cycled in the wheel tracks of the greatest names in cycling history - Lance Armstrong, Eddie Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Paul Robinson, and many more. Well done to all!

_________________

A few general photos from the week....more to follow.

See more photos in 'The Book'