Demons be gone!

So today was an exact replay of the first year we came, and if you check that blog post you'll see that I had a very hard (bad) day. But today, I rode fairly strong all day, and finished with a good effort up the Telegraph. B and Mark had good days, too, so all is well in France.

The day wasn't as long as yesterday, but still came in over 70 miles - which isn't all that much - with around 9,500 feet of climbing - which is a lot. 3 real mountain passes today, the Croix de Fer, Mullard, and Telegraph. I'm including some photos from Alpe D'Huez as well, since our day started with a partial descent of yesterdays climb. But, first, for James, A massive DINOSAUR. Made of hay sitting on top of the Telegraph.

So we finally had a full crew of riders, with mechanical fixes having been done for Kari, and airlines delivering on lost luggage for Grahm and Ilke. We started descending a little way dosn Alpe D'Huez, then picked up a high ridge road looking down on the valley of Bourg.

The actual town of D'Huez, which isn't really close to the top where the ski village is located.

A brief glimpse of the hairpins coming up the mountain face I mentioned in yesterday's post - along with some paragliders

This gives some perspective. That is Bourg D'Oison down there. We have already descended a ways down Alpe D'Huez. You can get a sense from this how hard yesterday was!

Starring out the day

Our first climb, Croix de Fer, has some of the best natural and lush beauty along the way. Waterfalls every half mile or so, thick forests, flowers, and ferns; and little towns perched on mountain slopes. We are really getting into Sound of Music alpine territory now.

One of many waterfalls along the road side.

Pulling out of our coffee stop town, one of many ware memorials for a Country that has lost so many people to conflict.

Even with misty clouds and a little rain, a beautiful lake, with a few more waterfalls feeding the deep blue waters.

At the Croix de Fer, almost identical photo from several years ago, marking the namesake of the mountain pass, "the Cross of Iron".

Thomas was sleepy today.

From atop the Col.

A quick descent to the bottom of our next climb, the Mullard.

Selfie!

And then a drag along a river valley floor to our final climb of the day, the Telegraph. Last time, our guide David had to drag me up all 12 kilometers. Today, I kind of laid down a solid ride. I was a little nervous going in that I would crack again, so felt like I really took care of unfinished business today.

The start of Telegraph.

The beautiful rock face can be seen for most of the climb up, and about mid way, the clouds broke to give up an amazing vista.

And, finally, at the top for everyone!

Don't ask. Just enjoy they put up massive hay sculptures on the top of mountain passes.