Day 1: Sunday

So that’s the first day done! around 49 miles, and just over 2100 metres of climbing around 5 of the local mountains to gently acclimatise us.

We soon settled into being near the back of the pack as some of the younger and fitter ones shot off up the first climb. That was followed by an amazing 10 minute descent at 30-40 mph down some great roads and switch backs with unbelievable views of the valley in the morning sun. Without doubt the best down hill either of us have done on a road bike. Al said he would of been happy to call it a day at the bottom of that. Unfortunately, we had a few more monster climbs ahead of us on this the ‘easiest’ day of the week.

The next few climbs got harder as the temperature climbed towards 29 degrees and the legs were beginning to get stiffer. A tail wind would of been useful.

The final big descent was almost worth the suffering as we zipped along under rocky overhangs and around tight corners, only slowing down as we passed through deserted little French villages.

The last climb of the day was a long slog back up to the chalet at Courchevel 1300 climb. The 1300 being the altitude we had to climb, in metres. A few 8 and 9 % gradients made sure all energy reserves were soon used up. Al’s face says it all. A very tough climb at the end of a what felt like a long day. We finally arrived back at the chalet after 4 hours of the hardest riding my legs can remember, to be greeted with a cuppa and a bowl of pasta and cake.

Tomorrows ride looks to be quite a tough one so I’m hoping the legs will work in the morning after a good rest and a decent nights sleep. Luckily the local disco is closed for a few weeks, ahem…

Todays cycling related quote: “If it was easy, footballers would do it” – one of Mark Cavendish’s coaches