Jour d'Huez

Today we took a drive...
An hour and a half from St Jean took us to a town just the other side of Grenoble called Greg LeMond or something. We parked up just by a majestic lake and water damn where we unloaded the bikes and donned kit ready for the day's challenge. On our way, we headed down a long stretch of road through Greg LeMond and out towards the bottom of the mountain. The group was clearly excited as all I could hear behind me on the 30 minute warm up was Jason singing. Not an unpleasant experience but not something I would pay to hear again. Once we hit the bottom of the climb, we all said our goodbyes as we wouldn't be seeing eachother for at least an hour. 
Miles made a signature break after around 10 seconds, clearly wanting to get into his own rhythm, Matty and I were holding a steady pace for a while until we separated too. From then on I was all alone, get into the zone and just keep legs moving. Early on I had to make a brief stop to adjust gears but thankfully it was an easy fix so was quickly back on my way. After 20 minute or so, I was starting to tire, not how i wanted to feel at only 1/3rd through, nevertheless I must continue so gritted teeth and ploughed onwards, after another 20 minutes I had started to pick up, possibly due to noticing the corners count down and some to just getting back in the groove (baby).
Anyway onward we went, time was looking good, with some cereal bars in me and with around 5 corners to go passing the photographers, I was feeling strong again. Reaching the finish quickly came and with it a great sense of relief, I continued onward to the point where the tour finishes, around 1km further on and when I found it, met Matt who had also made his way up. He suggested we keep going until the road runs out which at first I was less keen to do as I was pooped but glad we did, adding only another 15minutes to reach the point at which we could go no further without crampons.
We headed back into the town to catch up with the rest of the gang where we had a coffee and made our way back down the hill.
The descent was rapid, twisty and exhilarating. At a fraction of the time taken to climb, it was a fitting end to a fantastic climb (my first proper "cycling" hill). Lunch at the bottom left us completely satisfied ready for our drive home.
Now its on to the town Hotel for some authentic French cuisine and no doubt more stories of eachothers rides today.
Tom