French Alps Tour 2003

Ever wonder how they get those terrific pictures on OLN?

After dinner last night along the Romanche River out side of Bourg de Oisans we boarded a bus for the ride to Villard de Lans. It was Bastille day and all the villages along the way were having fireworks. As we climbed up the side of a mountain southwest of Grenoble we were able to see 6 or 7 different displays coming from the small villages all the way up the valley. We arrived at Le Dauphin late and most of us enjoyed the later breakfast the next morning.

Villard de Lans is at the head of the Gorges de la Bourne; a beautiful gorge with the road perched up on the side of the cliff. The road is cut through the rock sides in some places and in others a small stonewall separated up from the drop a hundred feet or more down to the river. The riding was beautiful - the road winding its way along the river gorge and then out into pastureland and through small villages. A group of us stopped for lunch at a wonderful hotel at les Barraques en Vercors. No major climbing this day and so we enjoyed a 2 1/2 hour feast with champagne (thank you Ciaran!) to start.

After lunch we entered another gorge and then came out on a long downhill into a small village, Pont en Royans. We stopped in a small cafe and watched an hour or so of the Tour - Beloki's crash and Lance's cross country ride. Then, in 100 degree heat we climbed back up to the Gorges de Bourne and into Villard.

Dinner was late tonight to give us all time to pack our bikes and have a drink or two. Dinner, outside of the Le Dauphin was mostly cheese (at least it seemed that way) but fun with farewell speeches. We tried to find a polka dot, King of the Mountain jersey for Eric since he clearly climbed more than anyone else but only could get a t-shirt.

After dinner we walked to the other side of town for a fireworks display. We watched from inside a small alleyway, not the best spot, but managed the appropriate oooh's and aaah's anyway. After the fireworks a band played in the town square and the entire town enjoyed the music and dancing late into the night.

The next morning we boarded buses for Grenoble and Lyon. I got off at Grenoble and caught a TGV Train to deGaulle and more 100-degree heat during the afternoon and night. A long trip home, but so full of wonderful memories. I had no idea the Alps were so beautiful and the riding could be so awesome. We had a wonderful group that mixed well together and shared both sadness and joy over the 10 days. I think everyone would come back for a repeat experience, I know I would - in a heartbeat!

Thanks especially to Eric for being a wonderful friend and roommate, to Dick and Marilyn for organizing it all, to Jim for his handy wrench and valet services, and to all of the riders who made it so enjoyable.