Yodel-la-de-WHO?

Friday, July 17, 2009

Yesterday we completed our trek into Switzerland, ending Stage 15 in the high mountains of the Swiss Alps. The stage finished in the amazing ski village of Verbier with a panoramic view of Mont Blanc in the background. The climb to Verbier was grueling, with the steepest pitches over the last 8.5 kilometers. The total ride day was 200K and was among the most beautiful once I made it to the Alps, but was made difficult by very hot conditions and lots of traffic throughout the day. Climbing was nearly constant with four Category 3 climbs, one Cat 2 and the finale up to Verbier - a Cat 1. Following my usual cold spritz shower in the back of the Moho, we settled in for a delightful meal on the terrace of a restaurant in Verbier, surrounded by mountains and a beautiful and relaxing setting. Gerry treated last night, which was very generous and I will not soon forget the fresh berries and ice cream I had for dessert. We all decided that the climb was so difficult that this will be a high-impact stage on the GC in the Tour and there were already numerous motor homes and spectators gathering on the climb. In two days this place will be swamped with the tour faithful. On the day the tour arrives here, I will be doing Stage 18, a short 40.5 kilometer individual time trial in Annecy, France. This will allow us the rare chance to watch a stage on French television and we should be able to do some sightseeing and shopping. I have been told that Annecy is one of the most beautiful places on the planet so we all look forward to that day.

Today’s ride is currently being delayed by a thunderstorm in the start town of Martigny, where I depart from for two of the most difficult climbs in this year’s tour. The climbing begins immediately up the relentless slopes of the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard. Starting at 547 meters and ending at 2,473 meters, it is the high point of this year’s tour and rated HC or “beyond categorization”. The grade goes up for 40 kilometers before plunging down for a nearly equal distance and then starts the second climb of the day, the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard. Nothing “petit” about the second ascent as it goes up to 2,188 meters and is rated a Cat 1 climb. The finish is graciously downhill to the conclusion in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, France, a total of 160 kilometers. The rain is ranging from horizontal to vertical and we are holding tight for now, hoping for a break. Julie has woken with her first major headache of the trip (other than me) and we are hoping it is not a migraine but rather due to the altitude and barometric pressure changes from this storm. The weather in the mountains is very unpredictable, with conditions predictably worse as you go uphill and into the clouds. For now we wait. Hope to enter more at the end of the day. It will be a fitting test to the grades of Mont Ventoux later in the week.

My best from the Swiss Alps!

Dave