The Thunderstorm

About 7.5 hours cycling in torrential rain. Very different from the day before. It was raining hard when i woke. I hid in the hotel like someone sheltering from a bombing raid. I shouldnt have bothered.

Off i went out of thonon then 15 mins later realised I forgot my helmet. Take 2.

Up the first ascent of the day the col de …….. it was raining as hard as it can. Soaked to the skin by the top despite goretex then a bit cold in the wind. On the descent the rain was too much for the cyclecomputer and its died on me… no clock again.

Specialized sucks.

In the valley I was cold so barged into a restaurant and got changed into dryness. Two croisants as prep for the col de la columbiere at 1610 metres.

Easily the hardest ascent I have ever done on a bike. The torrential rain storms did not help. Made it to the top pretty tired and wet again but managed to blitz some of the supported buffties on the way up. (where you pay to have them carry your bag)

Then had coffee and crepes at the summit restaurant along with the rest of my food; Then a long descent in the rain..

I thought that it was all downhill to la clusaz but it turned out it way on the way up the next col!! Got to la clusaz and finished my water then found out that the youth hostel was even further up the next col.

Got there at 1910 hours, a pretty tough day; Food was ace although hostel was devoid of life; Went to bed exhausted; to the sounds of intensly violent thunderstorms.

A walk in the park

Changed the bad cycle computer for a new one. 30 mins to fit it then it was nice and shiny which cadence and all that jazz.

Stopped on the way out of switzerland in hermance for expresso in the sun. Stopped off at another wee place as well for some photos of lake geneva.

Ass is sore due to substandard cannondale saddle, replaced with a new one;one one hour fifty Mins cycling so spent a lot of time chilling and doing tourist stuff.

First big alpine day tomorrow. The french generally have big noses and speak little english. Its off season so all is very quiet..

In 2 bike bags I have the following stuff.

duct tape

inner tube

hex keys

puncture repair

pump

brake blocks

screwdriver

2 water bottles (litre each)

shorts x1

lycras x1

helmet

sunglasses

bike gloves

gloves

sun tan stuff

windproof jacket

waterproof jacket

2 buffs

lycra booties

cycletop

waterproof trousers

pants x1

boxers x2

trainers

tshirt

small towel like a rag

lightweigth leisure trousers

sawn off toothbrush

washing stuff

toothpaste

inhaler

camera

phone

mp3

credit cards

bike lock

wee book

passport

maps and route info

acc details

compass

first aid

penknife

I took the overnight train to Oslo from Trondheim. Snorers galore drove me to the all night bar on the train. Next took the plane to Geneva, very warm when I got off the plane.

Cruised to the youth hostel after painstakingly building my bike from its ziptied deflated state.

Went to a bike shop and purchased a cycle computer which is bust. Pumped up tyres also as 120psi on a plane is a recipe for BOOM.

Went to a nice french feeling cafe called cafe remar and had an expresso. Maccys from dinner with lake geneva for a view. Lovely relaxed vibe here, must come back with Helen some day. People were swimming in lake geneva.. it looked so nice.

So the cycle trip starts properly tomorrow; will sort out cycle computer and get on the road. Relatively short starter day along the coast of lake geneva. Cant wait.