Cruella the Headwind

As if it wasn't difficult enough to slog up Alpine climbs with a fully laden touring bike in the cold, along comes Cruella the Headwind to join in the fun and make it all just that bit more challenging.

It was a not-so-balmy 11 degrees when I set off this morning. I was grateful there was a lengthy climb to start which helped warm me up. With Cruella blowing through the mountains and straight at me, I felt to be at a standstill for some parts of this climb. There were probably some expletives uttered. But I eventually made it up the col and gratefully sank into the hotel at the top by the ski station. I did indulge in a pain au choc there in addition to my pot of tea (the teapot lid was a saucer this time...obviously). Today, as with yesterday, I was '2-pastries Andi' as I'd already eaten my pain aux raisins earlier. I'm sure I'm burning it all off :-))

After my second col, Col de Rioupes (1430m), I had a bizarre experience. I descended and descended and descended down to a lake, the Lac de Sautet. There is a huge EDF hydro-electric plant there. I was certain I'd cycled past that before but heading the other way. I stopped on the bridge over the lake to take a better look at the plant but nearly got blown off by a ferocious gust of freezing wind and so began the lengthy steep climb out. My poor leggies!

I dismissed it thinking there are probably other places that look the same. And I headed for Corps which looked as if it would be a good afternoon tea place. It seemed deserted from the main road so I headed up a short steep hill and a lively, buzzing street opened up before me.

Oh my goodness! I had definitely been here before. I remember being with Di and Mike on the 2011 Alps tour with Bike Adventures. It was cold then too! I'd gone into a cafe for tea and a chocolate crepe back then. The reason I remember it is Di and Mike stayed outside in the cold to eat tinned sardines with bread or something equally revolting! Today, I just needed a lovely cuppa to warm me up. It was 20 degrees by the time I came out which helped my afternoon cycling.

I occasionally wondered why I'd left boiling hot Provence with its vineyards and lavender fields for the chilly mountains. I hate the cold so why do I love the mountains so much? The spectacular, jaw-dropping scenery is the main reason. It's impossible to know which way to look sometimes, it's so stunning.

And I'm in full-blown touring mode which means absolute contentment. I just love pedalling along, looking at the views, eating, drinking, camping, the works. Nearly being blown off several times by Cruella wasn't much fun today but I have to hand it to her, she did help blow me up a few climbs too.

I stumbled across a lovely campsite late this afternoon after 46 very hilly, tiring miles. Across the road, I went to the bar for my cheapest glass of wine of the trip - 1 euro 20!! And had to chuckle as the bar was within a restaurant called "Pizzeria Chez Bernard"! For those who don't know, Bernard is a well-known character in our cycle club :-))

And more creative camp cooking tonight. A yummy mushroom risotto with lots of fresh veggies + the leftover tomato and cheese from lunch followed by the rest of my custard (not all on one plate of course). The custard is all gone now so I won't go on about that any more! Plus tea and biscuits, naturally.

Congratulations on conquering Col de Greenhow and Col de Brimham Rocks Intermediates today!! Tony informed me of your success. Alison, I could see you'd sent a photo on WhatsApp but they're not coming through properly for some reason. But thank you to you all for involving me in your ride today :-)

Ade, I'm going to need to see a photo of this beard! And glad you enjoyed your time with the grand-kiddies today :-)

JANE!!! Awesome to hear from you! (Jane is from NZ & we met on a Bike Adventures tour) Enjoy your stay in the Italian Alps :-))

Mum, I hope you've got back home ok after your lovely hols?

And I hope you've all had a super weekend.

Tomorrow I head for Bourg d'Arud near Les Deux Alpes where Ellie & co are staying. I can't wait! It should be enough incentive to get my now very tired legs up and over all those climbs tomorrow. And then Alpe d'Huez the next day..... One day, I will learn it is ok to relax and do very little on "holiday" too!

Cheery-bye for now.

Andi xxx

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