Day six - Briancon to Gap the long way

Rolled oout of Briancon at 8.15 am and straight into the 20 km climb of the HC Col D'Izoard. The going was easy at first and I climbed steadily with Neil from Spain. after he stopped for some knee medication, I climbed alone and the mountain just got steeper and steeper. By the top at 2,345 m it was blowing a gale and quite cool. So no hanging about, straight down and what a descent - I hit 85 km an hour at one point (though a village). I was only caught up by the others on stopping for coffee after about 60 kms. After lunch we continued towards Gap but on a scenic route, rather than down the N road. However this involved an 18% ascent at one point, enough to reduce me nearly to tears. The final climb (only done by some) just outside Gap was the Col De Manses. Not much of a mountain but famous as at the bottom is where Beloki crashed in the 2003 Tour De France and Armstrong zipped across the filed to avoid going down. So a good photo opportunity. We reached Gap after nearly 6 hours in the saddle. I have never been so quick to pack the bike away and get showered so I could start on the beers. Such a relief to have finished without mishap, nor for that matter any mechanical problems or punctures.