The final meters to the destination

The last stage. Then I would have completed at least the roughly planned part of my tour and switch more to a day tour mode for the remaining time. But first I had to conquer Pierre Avoi. This guardian of the Rhone Valley stands high above Verbier. Quick and easy to reach with mountain railways. But that wasn't my claim. The last meters of altitude still had to be earned with my own power. And that was a good thing, because the road that wound its way up there was wonderfully secluded from the hustle and bustle in Verbier. Quietly and secretly, it led through small villages with the typical Waliser Walser houses in the face of the Grand Combin. It was only at the top of the mountain at Les Ruinettes, where the mountain railways docked, that the peace was over.

Despite the increasing tourist hustle and bustle, the panorama on the high path to Pierre Avoi was breathtaking. In the best weather, the Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc Massif showed themselves from their best side. Even the exhaustion that was increasingly building up in me receded somewhat into the background. Because I already noticed that the third hard day in a row was gnawing at me. So I cycled leisurely and flat along the mountain flank.

The final 300 meters of altitude were now due. So I clenched my teeth and went through it. When I stood at the foot of the steep rock of Pierre Avoi, I couldn't believe my eyes. A really steep switchback trail wound up the exposed rock. Wasn't I spared anything on the last few meters today? So I struggled up laboriously. And then there was another crossing. I slowly became suspicious. What am I actually doing here? And indeed - I had turned the wrong way, and from up here I could also see the right path just under a hundred meters below me. It was too late to turn back, so I followed the crossing, which would lead me back to the right path.

By now I was quite exhausted. I would love to take a nap. But there were still 1600 meters of descent to Martigny waiting for me. So after a break, I put on my protectors and off I went. A reasonably decent trail could have been manageable. But this one was really obstinate. A combination of exposed and unpleasantly blocked forced me to get off and push over and over again. It only became more pleasant in the middle part. But then a counter ascent came as a party pooper. After that, I needed another extensive break to build up enough mental concentration. But I also noticed - my endurance today is finite, and the battery is already running on emergency power. I really had to get to the valley urgently.

There were still about 450 meters of descent to Martigny when I turned into the last section. And from here on, the trail was only a narrow, towel-wide strip along the slope. Technically not difficult to ride, but there was absolutely no margin for error. And every mistake would be the last. With luggage and decreasing concentration, the only option was to push. In full gear and now in scorching heat. So the final triumphal entry into Martigny was not triumphant, but rather pitiful. With the last of my strength, I managed to drag myself from the trail to the campsite in complete exhaustion.

After a rest day, I thought I was fit again, naively. But during the night, a gastrointestinal infection would visit me. I was in Martigny, I had completed my tour! But for the next few days, I was knocked out.