They-they crossed the Alps and they-they tell...
Would you like to introduce yourself?
Pierre 56, I'm the father of 4 wonderful children and regional manager in a press group. I've been a trailer/marathon runner for a very long time, cycling as a complement to my training or with friends.
Why an itinerant crossing of the Alps?
A friend of mine took the plunge three years ago and came back very enthusiastic. This project gradually became an XXL dream, with major doubts about my ability to overcome the difficulties. The plunge into the unknown also represented a motivation linked to excitement: could I string together mythical cols day after day?
Then I had an accident that affected my hearing 18 months ago, and it became important for me to complete this great crossing. I had a thousand and one good reasons not to take the plunge, so I bought my train ticket to Thonon-les-Bains and it became a reality...
Which route and why?
The Thonon-Nice integral, classic route with no variants.
The symbolism of this mythical route was very strong for me, so I deliberately went to the km 0 point in Thonon-les-Bains to complete my journey on the Promenade des Anglais.
How did you organize your trip?
2 basic panniers on the back, which I lightened very quickly on day 2. So I washed a few things along the way.
I made the return trip by train (bought a bike cover in Nice, essential for the TGV).
As for the food, it was by feel according to mood, salads or local specialties, often a small cold beer from midday...
I had deliberately not booked my accommodation so that I could adapt it to my desires, my tiredness. I quickly realized that for me it was a good idea to sleep at the foot of the passes, so as to attack the first climb of the day refreshed and ready, and before the high heat.
I'm a bit tired, but I'm a bit tired.
What's your best memory? Worst?
The best?
The Col de la Cayolle, between Ubaye and Mercantour, with its marmots and river (I took a refreshing dip there)
.Colorado mountain, exceptional vegetation and hardly anyone on this little road (many cars and motorcycles go up to Bonnette).
Worst of all: I overestimated my strength on the second day, wanting to link 3 stages in one, so I arrived totally exhausted in Val-d'Isère at the foot of the Iseran, really not giving much hope of my chances for the rest at that point.
What is your trifecta of passes? Why?
First the Col de la Cayolle for the reasons mentioned above, then the Galibier: many of us have already climbed it, but it's still a special pass before that switchback to the south and Briançon. Then I'd say the Iseran with its altitude, its sumptuous descent.
Each ascent reveals its personality and opens the key to a new valley, a new massif... it's this roaming principle that I loved, with each pass crossing a concretization of its progress.
A story to share?
The sky was very threatening on the Izoard climb. I hesitate to take refuge at the Napoléon refuge, 1 km from the summit, but I've set Guillestre as my stopover...I think it's going to hold and launch myself into the descent... The wind picks up, the sky turns completely black and transforms the mineral landscape of the deserted junkyard into an apocalyptic setting.
A big scare due to my carelessness, I absolutely have to get off. I take emergency refuge 30 seconds before the hail in a vacation village where a group of happy pensioners are having an aperitif, they've taken me for a madman!
They've taken me for a madman!