Day 2: La Clusaz to Bourg St Maurice

Distance: 57.51
Average speed: 10.20
Maximum speed: 33.35mph
Time in saddle: 5hr 28min

It's snow joke anymore. Today was very tough. Started with light drizzle and wet roads, straight into first hill which was the Col des Aravis (1486m), that was fine, this time the descent was extremely drops waiting for you if you got it wrong. With a slippery wet road this made for amn enjoyable thought.
Next climb up was the Col de Saisies, with the roads drying out and feeling ok, a decision was made to go for the top as quick as possible. Great idea Russ that one, as there was still the big hill to go and feeling tired.
Lunch stop was decided based upon which Restaurants were open, not many as it appears France takes Mondays off. Menu limited to quiche or quiche, so after a quick thought process, quiche it was. Trust me, you can eat too much quiche in your lifetime, and i have now maxed out on my quiche intake.
Final climb of the day and still nothing interesting to spot. OK, the odd bird of prey, but they were too far away for Dave to recognise.
Finally, with fear today was going to be a spot free day, I had to resort to tractors once more. This will please all my tractor fans out there. Added to my list from last year a Mantou looking rather sorry for itself, pic attached to keep all happy.
The last climb which was a combination of Col de Meraillets (1605m) and the Cormet de Roselend (1967) was a killer. Relentless was the only way to describe it. With about 9km to the top you get to the stunning lake, short stop for a photo and onwards and upwards.
Last 5km to the top had to be done in 1km thought mode, riding at a pittiful 5.5mph
The wind got up and the temperature plummeted, finally at the top to be greeted with....... NOTHING. Yes absolutely sod all, no cafe, no ice cream seller not even a drink station.
We had to wait for the rest of Team 43, by this time the SNOW, yes snow had decided to make an appearance. Shelter was provided by the bin store, all clothes I had went on.
On the way down some goats with bells were spotted, so again a pic must be taken. By this time, Dave realising the complete lack of clothex he had and sub zero temperatures meant for one thing, use Katies discarded clothes. A great sight, epecially when the jacket fails to do up, so on it went backwards.
At the bottom Bourg St Maurice greeted us. Into hotel, quick energy bar and the a sleep. Only i can do that!
Tomorrow apparently has a 30mile hill ready for us as the sadistic tour leader pointed out.

Sheep with bells

In all my excitement i forgot to add the 'sheep with bells' picture on my last post.
Please add comments to cheer me up.
Russ

Day 1. Thonon le Baines to La Clusaz -part 2

Distance: 58.61
Average speed: 9.83
Maximum speed: 30.01mph
Time in saddle: 5hr 57min

Setting off from a vantage point overlooking Lake Geneva and straight into the hills.
With 'Team 43' reunited for the first time, Dave, Katy and me set off.
With Dave leading the way and never driven or ridden abroad, there was extreme concern ad fear when he was see attempting the first roundabout in a very English clockwise motion. The French car drivers also on the roundabout seemed fine with this. Once I managed to get my breath back from laughing so much we carried on.
Spitting was thin on the ground, so it was decided to widen the scope. All there seemed to be was trees, chalets and mountains. Strange that!
Many cows about with bells on, very picturesque, but not good enough for a spot. We needed something more. Yes it was spotted. Sheep with bells on, see pic.
Off up the Col de Colombieré. The climb was relentless, not steep but hours iong. So, first hill done.
Descent somewhat quicker and faster.
50 miles in, no great 'motorised beds on wheels' to be seen, but then, like a mirage, there it was. Only I had seen it. Yes, a Ford Transit Ice Cream van converted to a camper. Was i a happy chappy.
My day was complete, off to the chalet for some rest a half a lager or two.
Sorry this post was a bit short, but hungover this Monday morning and not happy. Raining outside, mudguards in Kent.

Day 1. Thonon le Baines to La Clusaz

What to spot???????
Last year was easy, interesting subject matter like tractors and caravans already done, what else is there? In a foreign country with language skills limited to the ability to announce my name and my current age (not great when that is the age i attended my last French lesson). So there i was, 13 years old again.
Spotting was in short supply, my game plan was hatched a week before, when i saw an old Ford Sierra converted to a camper.
So, 'motorised beds on wheels it was'
Usual sfuff like VW campers not allowed, i'm talking ones that shouldn't be on the roads or up the Alps.

Day 0 - Travel Chaos

Saturday was the day we booked for Easyjet to take us from Gatwick to Geneva. Had we known what they had in store for us, it would have been quicker to drive.
Got to Gatwick at 9am, got to Geneva at 5pm. Not happy.
With a couple more hours to kill, a quick trip into Geneva centre for Dave and myself was on the cards.
Little did we know, this waa purely a wallet emptying session to finance the Swiss economy.
10 minute taxi ride and 40 Euros lighter was just the start.
Somewhere cheap to eat in Geneva was not possible, just finding a place to eat where a second mortgage was not required was near on impossible. This place was truly posh and we felt way out of our depth. Where's a descent chippy when you need one? Kebab house, no chance.
Pizza it was, bank account empty.
Picture of hotel we were not in. Off out into France to stay in a cheap B&B.
Ready for the start tomorrow.

Geneva to Nice in 7 days

It was decide that last years trip from Lands End to John O'Groats didn't have enough hills, so this year it was decided we should find a few more. So, it was decided that Geneva to Nice over the Alps in seven days should bring in a few more.
Last year there were three of us that made it to the end Dave, Katy and myself, Katy being our enlisted map reader, Dave our resident moaner and me my normal chirpy self!
So, first things first, we needed to get the band back together for part 2.
This seemed somewhat easier than first thought, so all signed up and ready to go.

The big cheque handover

End of last summer handing over the money!
No truth in the rumour I kept it for myself.
Thank you once again to everyone who sponsored me.