Tag 0 Journey to Briançon/Claviere

Muggy hot air and plenty of sunshine greet us in Italy, which feels much more intense than at home. Now it's finally time for the long-awaited Western Alps cross.

My "museum bike" that I rode on the last cross has been exchanged for a top-of-the-line, slightly more downhill-oriented sports machine and this time I also have a few spare parts with me just in case (e.g. gear cable).

This makes it quite certain that it won't break or at least something else will break.

The journey through Milan and a vehicle change there seems to drag on in the heat and feels like 10 toll booths, but the mood is good and wild stories of past tours, beautiful routes, and absent-minded participants are exchanged enthusiastically.

After 8 hours, we arrive in Claviere near the French border, which is a pleasant 1750 meters above sea level.