Stage 3 Summary - Part 1

EPIC! That is the only way to describe today. It's really the tale of two rides the way it went. I am going to split today into two parts, so make sure you look at both posts.

First, thanks for the comments and feedback! I appreciate it, and it keeps me typing!

A special note to Jen, as I'm rooming with Shawn again. Tonite, our beds are less than 2 inches apart, and he had a couple beers. I'm a little worried he'll try to roll over and put his arm around you in the middle of the night....

Monday morning, we woke to cloudy and slightly rainy weather. Cold. Find me extra clothes cold. A couple guys ran to the sports store to buy better gloves, and I was able to use my brand-new shoe covers for the first time.

It's a logistical nightmare to get 10 guys all together with all our gear at the same time, but this group does pretty well. We have to mix our drinks, pick out our energy gels, choose the right clothes for the ride/weather, get all the electronics set up and running, and get our luggage to the truck.

Getting going in the morning is a challenge. I've got several pieces of luggage - the bike-stuff bag, the non-bike-stuff suitcase, and the knapsack of assorted necessities, like the laptop, money, and charging cables. Everything has to be re-packed since we move hotels every day. I also have to pull the stuff I want during the ride - clothes, food, drink, accessories, and put that in the 'van' bag. One thing that many non-bikers don't know, and many not WANT to know, is how we spend this many hours on a bike seat and still be able to walk. It's a little magic potion called chamois butter, or butt-butter. Nuff said. I also have to put on the GPS watch, the Road-ID, which is a manly red (yeah, I know) bracelet with my vital info on it in case someone finds me on the road. It's red so they notice it easier.

Kevin coming up the road - note the clouds in the background. It was very cool, and we were all wearing leggings, long-fingered gloves, helmet covers, and rain coats.

The ride started up right out of the center of town, so we didn't get a warm-up section today. We'll see how it goes...

The group fractured pretty quick - the prior days of climbs are starting to wear. It's one thing to do a day of hard climbing, it's a whole 'nother thing to do three days in a row of mountains.

We rode up this valley into the Col du Galibier. It quickly turned to a bit of a moonscape with barren rocky slopes.

The Col du Galibier is one of the hardest climbs in cycling. It is rated as an HC, which means it's harder than any rated climb, and they don't have a number for it. It climbs over 17k, or 10.5 miles of steep up!

The farther up we went, the worse it got. Wind, rain, and then sleet and snow. And let's not forget the climb - steep!!!

I have a new appreciation for the patients I see as an EMT who have shortness of breath. I've never felt that deep-in-the-chest tightness that just won't quite go away because you can't get enough oxygen.

Did I mention that the climb is steep? Michele did a great job of driving up and down the hill to find all the riders and make sure we were OK and had what we needed.

These markers are on most of the big climbs. The 9% is the grade - how steep the hill is. 2-4% is easy, 5-6 % is kind of fun, 9% will turn your quads to jello. Or at least mine.

The 5km is the distance to the top, so they tease you into thinking you're almost there. Note the altitude of 2230m which is almost 7000'.

On these big climbs, you have to go your own pace. There's Dana's pace which is better than a Ferrari, and then there's my pace which is like a Yugo. Doesn't matter, we all get up there eventually. When I'm climbing alone, I like to listen to music to keep me motivated. The funny part was in this section where the air was thin, Berlin's 'Take my breath away' came on the ipod and I just had to laugh. Or maybe it was gasping.....

That is one windy road! I didn't even count how many hair pins there were. The best description of this ride was misery - this picture doesn't do justice to the biting wind, stinging sleet, and steep hills.

While it was one of the most miserable rides of my life, it was also one of the best. To be able to do this is just an incredibly lucky turn of fate - the right friend, the finances, the healthy body, and most important - the understanding wife!!! Thanks Nancy!

The Col du Galiber - 2645 metres, or about 8677 feet above sea level. It's said to be the fifth highest pass in Europe. And we rode over this sucker.

The last few miles of this climb are intimidating and daunting. You can see the road above you and it just brings cuss words to mind. Then the gust of wind hits you and you wonder what in the hell you are doing here. The temperature was below freezing, so with the wind-chill factor it was brrr-damn cold. I was chilled to the bone even with good riding gear.

The final section is only a kilometre or so, but it's into a severe wind, and you're already cold. It's steep and narrow, and was actually one of the scarier descents. Glad to get to the stopping point.

On the other side of the summit, is a nice little store. I got in after the majority of the group, and found them having Cafe au Lait's. The short stop turned into a long lunch-ish stop with tomato soup and bread. We also did some shopping. The proprietor was VERY happy to have us there, as 10 freezing riders are willing to do anything to warm up.

The affects of altitude are well known. Judgement and decision making are affected, and not for the best. The next few pictures are not pretty, and don't show the subjects in their best light, but this is what happens. I do want to say that no alcohol was consumes, and no animals were harmed.....

That's Mark behind the puffy hat. Hope he wasn't blowing his nose in it. Julie, I hate to tell you, but you've now seen your souvenir gift - try to act suprised!

Shawn found THE hat. I'm pretty sure if he could have fit his helmet on it, he would've bought it!

Todd is our fashion guru. We all look to him for new fashion ideas. I've been asked to NOT forward this to Delta, but I'm new to these computer thingys....

Bob was pretty happy after lunch. As we say on the Tour de Bob, it's ALL about Bob!

Kevin is pretty happy with his soup and bread. The funny thing over here is that butter is like gold, or something. It's like asking for ketchup for your filet mignon. We get the funniest looks, and they don't really want to bring it.

No trip blog would be complete without at least one toilet picture. This is the bathroom at the Col du Galibier. In classic French fashion, it's just a hole. A very COLD hole since it's on the outside of the building.

Don't know what else to say about this half of the day, except for it was an adventure. One I'll probably never repeat, but will remember for the rest of my life. As a good friend always says, try the left turns - they're always more interesting than the common road. Today was a left turn in life. Make sure you read Part-2 of today - it's got the other half of Stage 3 and the links to the pictures....