Top of the first climb of the tour!We all set of quite early this morning, just after 8am in a vain attempt to beat the heat of the day. As we did not reach the hotel in la Clusaz until 4pm that was not exactly successful! We were soon out of Geneva though on a revised and we are told more scenic route than planned. Also longer by some 15 kms and an extra climb thrown in.
First climb of the day and tour was the gentle Col De Saxel at around 950 m high. I felt good and climbed at the front. After a sketchy descent next up was the Col De Perret followed by the steeper climb up to the beautiful Plaine de Joux. Puffing and sweating by this stage I was still holding my own. Not bad as most of the group are serious club cyclists and some racers. Two big guys though were in a bad way by the time we were over the fourth climb and stopped for a much needed lunch in Bonneville (Gesier salad in my case). The final effort of the day was needed to get us up the long 20 km drag to the small but bustling town of La Clusaz nestled in the mountains at around 1040 metres.
After a shower and change, explored the town which had a vide grenier in full flow - lots of bloody tat as usual. 102 kms done and 1970 metres climbed in the day, quite hard for a first day. Tomorrow we start a climb almost immediatly with no warm up (The Col De Aravis). Yipee! A good meal and night's rest is in order.
After a shower and change, explored the town which had a vide grenier in full flow - lots of bloody tat as usual. 102 kms done and 1970 metres climbed in the day, quite hard for a first day. Tomorrow we start a climb almost immediatly with no warm up (The Col De Aravis). Yipee! A good meal and night's rest is in order. 
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