Tour of Mont Blanc in Two Days - part 2 |
As
we climbed the sun started to bathe us and the surrounding mountains in
its warm rays and the initial reluctance to ride was soon forgotten.
We made the
first Col in good time, sucked on a bit of gel and got on with the ribbon
of singletrack that would take us down into Switzerland.
With huge grins on our faces, we exited the rooty switchback extravaganza
that had transported us to the land of the cuckoo clock. We massaged brake
pumped hands whilst blinking in the bright morning light and stripped
off a couple of layers as the sun very much got his hat on.
A
4x4 climb took us to the Col de Forclaz where an over night stop would
ordinarily of been the order of the day. However, as they say, "No
rest for the wicked", we continued down the other side towards Martigny
on a combination of high speed road, and grassy, still slick with the
morning dew, singletrack.
By now we were getting into our stride and we eased ourselves into the
12km road climb to Champex Lac where we planned to have a well earned
rest. The rythmic action of accelerating on the road switchbacks, rising
from the saddle to keep the momentum up and then settling back down, soon
bought us to our destination.
We found ourselves a quiet spot and enviously observed as people enjoyed
a spot of lunch and a quick spin of their own on the pedallows. Bones
and myself stretched aching muscles and shovelled in as many calories
as we could to avoid the dredded bonk. So far so good, we were on schedule
and all things considered we were both feeling pretty good. As much as
we wanted to lie down next to the lake and soak up the rays, we still
had a long old way to go. I also remembered that the next bit of singletrack
was a bit of a peach so off we went.
After being bounced around both up and downhill over roots and across
bridges, more amazing singletrack led us to the water stop in Praz De
Fort. By now I was beginning to suffer in the backdoor dept and a quiet
spot was found to "have a word with myself". I tell you, long
live the o so mighty chamy butter and the even mightier Sandra M for putting
me onto this life saving substance!
Suitably saited on fig rolls, isotonic drink, energy gels and plenty of water we now started the slog up to the gite in Ferret. The trail follows La Drance de Ferret climbing on a combination of 4x4 and singletrack.
The singletrack follows the contours of the mountainside high above the
river with a part of the trail having a chain handrail, guarding you from
exposure. The trail offers plenty of technical challenges, but by now
me and the man Bones were choosing to walk many of these in order to conserve
a little energy.
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Mountain Bike Tour of Mont Blanc Part 1 - Mountain Bike Tour of Mont Blanc Part 2 - Mountain Bike Tour of Mont Blanc Part 3 - Mountain Bike Tour of Mont Blanc Part 4 - Mountain Bike Tour of Mont Blanc Part 5
