Tag 1: From Col des Ayes to Saint Véran

Several swarms of flies surround us and we feel a bit like cow dung. We spend the break on the climb to Col des Ayes while walking, even though we have often cycled the first 600 meters of elevation gain on an improvised gravel track and at least I can already feel my legs. But it only helps to some extent, and even horseflies like me and bite me spontaneously.

The first stage started very comfortably with a nice breakfast and good mood.

Shortly after the start at 8:30, however, it becomes very sporty, partly uphill on steep ski slopes, which already cost the first bits of energy, although there were already some nice trails to warm up in the first long descent to Briançon.

I can't say much about Briançon itself, except that a climbing World Cup was taking place there and we started the steep climb to the nearly 2500 meters high Col des Ayes from there. The road will soon be closed and redirected to a dusty track, where we are frequently overtaken by cars with excursionists.

We leave the not very comfortable resting place and continue cycling in the sun, and our two climbing experts gain a lead of meters over the rest of the group.

I feel somewhat fit and exhausted and struggle uphill. Even the lunch break 300 meters below the Col doesn't really help me.

The last 300 meters of elevation gain have to be done on foot (in Swiss German: pushed). Strangely enough, I gain strength doing this and arrive at the Col just behind "MTB and other sports marathon runner" Josef from South Tyrol. I'm happy, I'm excited, and I get to high five him 🙌

We enjoy the great view and start the descent, which is initially steep and narrow.

Surprisingly, halfway through the descent, the co-guide gets a flat tire, which we repair together. Interestingly, "the German" has the right tube with him 😇

The rest of the descent is very diverse, and we end up in Brunissard in the valley. From there, we shuttle up part of the pass road to Col d'izoard (life-threatening for cyclists) in order to reach the starting point of the big final trail with another 160 meters of elevation gain.

We ride on narrow switchbacks, irrigation paths, beautiful flow trails, and in the end on very steep trails with roots and rocks down to Chateau Ville-Vieille. Not everyone rides the last section, and some hikers looked a bit surprised as we passed them in the steep rocky terrain. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of this.

The day was very exhausting with 1740 meters of elevation gain (excluding the shuttle) and the arduous climb.