Col de la Croix Fry - 12 July

It was rest day for the pros but not for us. We set off for a 100k ride to the Col de la Croiz Fry in the Alps. Our route took us along the beautiful Lake Annecy (imagine pristine blue water surrounded by jagged mountains and tree covered peaks) onto Faverges and then the climb of 1500m. The final section of 12km to the Col was 6-10 degrees. The temperature climbed too – 32 degrees. The view down the Manigod Valley was to die for, but then if you didn’t concentrate on the road ahead that was a certainty. Still acclimitasing to the heat, so it was a bit of a struggle but eventually made it to the summit. After lunching at a little restaurant on top, we descended for 30km at a fast pace through the ski town of Thornes and then Carusz. On the lower stretches we were in the big gears and holding 50-55km for long sections and racing the traffic. Lots of fun but exhausting by the time we hit the lake – 4hrs 30m later. The coffee stop in the little village of St Ferriol was a highlight. A photo would help but French bandwidth in the hotel can’t handle uploads! Fix this when we move on to Grenoble.