Wednesday the adventure continued.  We rode down the Col d’Ornon from the lodge, turned left on the main road to Allemont and headed north towards the Col du Glandon.  The road soon tilted painfully upwards with a sustained 10% climb for several miles to to the village of le Rivier d’Allemont.  After a brief stop to admire the views and fill up with cool fresh water and eat a candy bar we continued on towards the Col du Glandon.

at le Rivier des Allemonts

This was also part of the TdF this year, stage 20.  There was a steeps short descent to the river and a very steep up hill which moderated to an extended 10-11% climb.  I ground along up the hill my largest gear, out of the saddle.  Before coming to France I put a 27 cog rear gear on the bike – the largest the derailleur could handle.  A 30 tooth cog would be a wise improvement for these very tough extended alpine inclines.

on the Col du Glandon

We met up at the top of the Col du Glandon where there is a magnificent view of Mont Blanc to the north.

at the Col du Glandon

We stopped at the nearby restaurant and had a delicious pasta lunch on the deck with a view down the Glandon.  Then we proceeded 2.5 km up the Col de la Croix de Fer.  After a brief stop for a beverage (Chris) and a t-shirt (Larry) and photos (me) we headed back down the way we came up.

view from Col de la Croix de Fer

We ended the day with the climb back to the lodge. which now seems sort of gentle – 5 miles at about 6% incline.  Today’s stats: 56 miles, 5400 vertical feet and 2 cols.

Helen and Guy took the night off so we drove into BdO for dinner, then collapsed into bed, tired and full and happy.