The Alps

To end the first week in style we had to put our legs to work! And where to do that better than in the Alps? After departure from Station des Rousses in the Jura the first 100 km were primarily descent. So far so good…

Quite interesting that we apparently cycled these altimeters up over the past few days without even noticing it. At the bottom of the Alps the real stuff arose. Miraculously it started to rain at the same time, which resulted in a very welcome drop in temperature by 15ºC. This saved us at least a bucket of sweat each.

You can write an awful lot about cycling in the mountains, but frankly you should just experience it at least once yourself. Everyone his own tempo, own motivation and muscles that bag you to stop. After 3 hours of intense labour the entire team managed to reach Avoriaz. The descent back to Morzine through enthusiastic cycling fanatics and trucks preparing next day’s Tour arrival was our final hurdle that led to our beautiful chalets for the next 2 days.

The entire team is welcoming a deserved and needed day of rest. Today was a brilliant cycling day, especially thanks to Cycling Dutchman, Michael (our Canadian reporter), parents and friends that relieved the suffering during the stage: many thanks to all of you!