Tuesday 11 July 2011 #11 a continual bike riders dream 'Flash forward'

What a busy few days! Left Pamplona, drove to Toulouse then onto Aix and then onto Mane France. Not a bad way to spend 10+ hours but it got us (Joe, Michele and I) get closer to Vaujany, Alps.

Food - I just had a kings meal at our hotel, if I don’t mind saying so, well deserved after a rather large ride today, in the blaring heat. It is truly amazing the the TdF riders punish themselves up these col’s but not just one or two like us ordinary Joes! Back to the food, I wish that I took a photo of tonites dinner but I was so hungry that I couldn’t a photo of the salad with cheese pastry (entree), potato scallop and beef with gravy then creme brulee before they went right down the hatch.  Or is it cigarettes - how well they go with a meal?

Weather - The last few days have been HOT. Especially in Grenoble while we were there yesterday. Grenoble really is a lovely city but it is sandwiched between mountains and there is little to no wind, hence the baking heat! Tonite there was a huge storm that came through Vaujany and it certainly cooled things down ... unfortunately it looks like this weather may be here for tomorrow ... it may be a day off the bike tomorrow with double the efforts on the follow day!

Car - Ambulances, again with the Ambo - well for good reason. Today on the way back up to the mountain-esque Vaujany there were 20+ skateboarders coming flying down the hill. Next thing you know, a guy goes DOWN hard, unfortunately not even the helmet and elbow pads could soften the blow! He lay right in the middle of the road, actually convulsing! It was truly awful. After about 5 mins of this convulsion, still had pulse, was breathing and was not swallowing his tongue he came too. The ambulance eventually came, we are remote and took him away. Poor Simon the Englishman, holiday over.

Once over the boarder into France there were plenty of ‘hot’ cars, Ferraris, Maserati’s and even a Morgan (today). They seem to appreciate the finer cars, most likely because they allow for larger parking spaces than Spain!?  

Conversation - Anything in French sounds nice.

Animal - No Marmuts as of yet, plenty of cows and even plenty of fake ones! See pictures.

What else of note: Great to be back on the bike. The climb up Col de la Croix de Fer was truly magical! Going past waterfalls where the temp drops a good 10C and the views were just amazing. So many cyclist out on the road it was just amazing. 

Parting thought of the day/blog: I’m tired, maybe after 5 hour sleeps for 7 days it has finally caught up to me! Time for bed, hopefully I’ll bounce back tomorrow and be back in good form and be able to stay up past 10:30! GOOD NITE!