Today's ride was billed as a bit tougher than yesterday's but I didn't realise just how much tougher it was going to be.
The Croix de Fer and Col de Clandon are both HC rated climbs on the Tour de France which means they are bloody tough.
Our ride started well until after about 500m Stewart realised he hadn't filled his water bottles so we had a well earned break whilst he shot back to the campsite and rectified the situation.
After that it was basically uphill for 20 miles with the profile varying between 5 and 14%, which in anybody's world is tough.
2:40hrs later I arrived st the top about 3kg lighter and just a tad knackered!
Having said that I had cycled through some stunning scenery including frozen waterfalls and numerous switchback bends.
Towards the top it became somewhat remote and I began to think I had taken a wrong turn but then I saw Burtie who had waited for me and we managed the last 5 miles or so together ( well almost as he rode away from me again).
Once at the top I have to admit I was very chuffed, this was the longest continuous climb and probably the steepest I had ever done.
After everyone had arrived we had a coffee and then the descent started.
Frightening is a word I could use or maybe exilerating but either way it was at times very fast (44mph) and very bendy.
Sadly one of the riders came a cropper about half way down and ended up upside down in the verge with two blown tyres. He got away relatively uninjured but it put the wind up us a bit and we took it a bit easier for the rest of the trip home.
Once back in the valley Robin, Burtie and I headed into town for lunch then back the campsite for a relaxed afternoon.
Tomorrow is scheduled to be even tougher with a 20 mile climb up the Col de Galbier. I haven't decided if I'm doing it yet as only 4 others are I guess I'll decide in the morning.
Today's stats
Mileage 49
Climbing 6000ft
Top speed 44
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