After an early night an even earlier start for Toby. He set off at 7:30 for a solo assent of Alp DHuez and Col de Sarene taking in part of the tour route. We told hime to take care and text mum (Iain) or dad (me) when he got to the top and bottom of each...
We on the other hand decided a slightly more leisurely approach to our final day was required, yes the 2100m Col du Sabot was in out sights for the last peak of our tour.
Iain set of first, some problem with his gearing meant he chocked down a few gears trying to go up hill. He managed to stay up right and carried on. Iain was quickly followed be me (Jason) as I could not wait any longer for Neil to stop wandering around aimlessly. Yes it seemed we had finnanly broken him and just in time for me to make a quick get away.
We climbed through Vaujany in relative cooler temperatures well warned about the dodgy road which lay before us...
The road turned up and up through the town climbs getting tougher and tougher as we went, I remembered something about watch out for the cows in the road. We joked last night that if Neil went through one he'd have to eat it to hide the evidence. Dave came up with his usually awful joke, if you go one way I'll take the udder!! Yes these are the highlights chaps!
Finally we made it to what can only be described as cow pat lane. A huge wall of a road twisting off up and up toward a simmit I could not see. Luckily I cold not see the others either, could this be the day I take the KOM?
My favourite sort of road is one full of switch backs and shear cliffs, luckil I was not disappointed. Then about 400 meters (climbing not road) to go I saw it, the distant white of Dave. He was alone nd working hard so I pushed on, there was no way I'd let him take this one off me.
After a gruelling climb I thought I'd been cheated out of the summit, what's this white stuff covering he road. Still harder I pushed until finally I could no further, the col was mine and the snow very surreal.
A walk over the snow brought views of yesterday's col, Col Croix De Fer. We were way above it and in the snow line. Sme great snaps some ready for Torq who got me to the top with their top energy drinks, gels and bars.
Dave, Neil and Iain arrived in good time and afte few more photos we descended. It's as hard descending as is assendng. Break fingers full on, dodging gravel, pot holes, switch back cliffs, cow pats and wandering dogs. Happily Steifs bar arrived soon and we refuelled and hydrated for the journey "home".
Another day another Col and another over 2000m! Happy days 😴
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