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Published: March 22nd 2018
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Having dutifully studied all available weather data, I left my room cautiously optimistic that I might be able to repeat yesterday's feat of dodging the droplets: the forecast called for a partly cloudy morning followed by afternoon showers and thunderstorms, and I felt I just might be able to make it to Gap before the heavens opened. Alas, the morning started slowly, with the low-hanging clouds and lingering spits of rain in the air no doubt dampening everyone's mood (get it?). Whatever the reason, we set off almost a full hour after I had planned, which of course set me fretting, but I was determined to ride with the group rather than be a recluse. As we pedaled slowly out of town I recalculated my arrival time and hoped the predicted precipitation wouldn't be punctual.
Fortunately the 10km climb to the Col d'Ornon was an absolute delight, as it wound gently along the edge of a valley before climbing not-so-gently (10%) prior to easing off for the final push to the summit. Unfortunately, as one of the faster climbers I had to wait a full half-hour at the top for the last rider to arrive and the group to coalesce,
during which time I cooled off sufficiently that I had to don my jacket. Mind you, I also decided to apply sunscreen, as the weather had finally started to improve. With everyone present and the obligatory Col photos taken,we then set off on the descent. The latter was most enjoyable, although a tad frustrating as I had to work around some of the slower riders at the switchbacks. When everyone assembled again in Le Perier and it looked as though there would be yet another delay (a coffee break was being proposed) I bid adieu and set off on my own - which was a pity because there would have been some great photos of the subsequent ride, which descended even further but in a more leisurely fashion. Picturesque though they may be, I try to avoid taking photos of roads unless there are cyclists on them to give the picture some life.
The road and the weather continued to mimic each other - the former climbing and descending, with the latter clearing then clouding over again - all the way to Corps and beyond, when things started to take a turn for the worse. Whereas I had half-entertained
the notion of taking the alternate, less direct route proposed for the day, discretion once again proved the better part of valour and I pressed on into the gathering darkness wondering how much longer my weather luck would hold out. After encountering some showers light enough that I didn't need to stop and don rain gear, in the distance I could see what I assumed to be the Col Bayard - miraculously positioned in what appeared to be a sweet spot surrounded on either side by dark and menacing skies. The ride up was unspectacular, reminiscent of the climb through Crawford Notch in New Hampshire, which on one side is just a long, straight, steady slog; this raises the question: is a Col without a switchback really just a notch? At any rate, by the time I reached the top the sun had emerged, which was fortunate since the descent to Gap is rather fast. (see photo) And also busy with traffic, which made it less enjoyable than it might otherwise have been since I tried to restrict my line through the turns to the narrow cycling lane provided, which is hardly an optimal approach to take at speed (I
topped out at 69kph). I also kept a wary eye on the adjacent storm front I could see to the west, as several times the switchbacks sent me close enough to it that I could feel its raindrops Then there was the red light I encountered while still descending into town.
Nevertheless I arrived at the hotel dry and unscathed, only minutes ahead of both the rain and the van, which was pretty good timing indeed.
The others, I am sad to report, once again did not fare as well, but at least no one encountered the hail that had preceded our arrival. And if the forecast holds true, this should the last of the wet weather, at least for a while.
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