Hello, You Italian Beauty

This is how the day ended . . . Finally, it has arrived. I'll get to ride my own bike tomorrow, and leave the rental in the closet. While I'm happy I was able to secure a legitimate bike for the first couple days, it really was meant for different kinds of riding I think.

While the day ended with my bike waiting for me in the hotel, the day started with this. Les Lacets. Good stuff!

(Looking down from on top)

(Looking up from the bottom)

 (David making sure everyone makes it up safe and sound)

(B make her way up "the laces")

(I think that is Mark) 

The storm last night washed out some of the next climb, so we decided to go up Les Lacets, then back down and around the valley floor to the big one of the day, the Madeleinne. With a quick stop in the town of Chambres for coffee, we turned right to start climbing for 20 kilometers.

(my coffee, David's glasses)

With about 8 kilometers left in the climb, it was time to stop for lunch at a perfect little shady picnic stop.

(after a sandwich and coke, putting my feat up and enjoying the sunshine) 

So many streams, and farms along the way up. Then ski stations with lingering snow, then more farms and fields.

 (Check out that nose ring)

(We started in the valley you can see below. If you think you see it, look a little further away in the photo. We are at about 6 thousand feet at this point) 

(At the top!) 

(That is Mt. Blanc covered in clouds)

The little refuge/restaurant at the top of the Madeleinne is famous for its blueberry tart (my favorite dessert) and its hot chocolate. I tried the hot chocolate once when we did this climb in the rain, now it is time for the blueberry tart. And, it is worthy of the reputation. Soooo tasty.

Did I mentioned we climbed really high today? Here is David in front of a big snow bank.

Some thunder storms again tonight. Looking forward to a nice dry day tomorrow, and what was promised to be a special lunch stop.