Col D’Iseran

We changed our itinerary around yesterday due to the likelihood of thunder storms today. We didn’t fancy facing thunder and lightening at the top of a mountain! So, rather than a long flat ride we attempted a mid-length mountainous ride. The Col D’Iseran climb is 48km or just under 30 miles and has an average gradient of about 4%; the height at the bottom is 815m and the top is 2770m. We made it to Val d’Isere at 1827m…

So, yesterday wasn’t a total success and I owe the boys an apology because I am sure that inwardly they are somewhat disappointed. I am confident that I could have completed the climb, which I wasn’t finding overly challenging, if it weren’t for the conditions. It was so hot! Around 30 degrees, and midday sun – no shade. My body doesn’t appear to be able to regulate temperature very well, so despite drinking a crazy amount of water/electrolytes, within a very short period my head was throbbing and I had to have my first break; a sit down in a patch of shaded grass to the side of the road and my first steal of some of Ollie’s water.  Once my heart rate was down and I was cooler we started off again, for a few miles until we met up with Chris in our designated lunch stop village. Sadly, the village was in a period of shut down, between the winter and summer seasons, so there wasn’t even anywhere to buy water. This was at about the 1200 point and my water and electrolyte reserves were very low. Again, we spent some time in the shade before setting off; arranging to meet Chris at the next eatery. 

However, we pedalled and pedalled without finding anywhere. With reserves so low we were stopping once every mile just to get out of the sun, so progress was extremely slow. At around the 1400 point I stopped in a patch of shade, drank my final drops of water and stood shaking – bonk. Ollie went ahead to see if he could work out how much further/get water/ find Chris. He found Chris, who went ahead to find water.  Ollie and I walked up the hill a little and then got back on for the very well received tunnels. Ahhhh shade! 

Finally, we reached Val D’Isere. Panic; nothing is open. Relief; the hotel is. Disappointment; they aren’t serving food. Relief; the Supermarket is. 

After a drink stop at a lovely hotel we cycled a few 100m to the supermarket where we bought baguette, cheese, ham and crisps for lunch. 

At this point it was around 1600 and too late to continue climbing. So we descended back to the village of Bourg St. Maurice. 

Laura 

(Pics to be added once I am able to connect my phone to the Internet!)