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The calm after the storm
After the crushing dissapointment of not being able to ride the Galiber yesterday due to a snowstorm, it was with sunken shoulders that the Cent Cols field received the news that the first col of stage three, the legendary Izoard, had also been badly affected by snow. This meant a last minute revision to the route, which was hastily drawn up by organiser Phil Deeker.
Today was already billed as a transition stage and that it was, with the Garmin Edge 705 clocking up just 2300metres and 165km (completed in 5hrs 45mins), which when compared to the first two days was some relief. The route was still bitterly tough however, with the accumulation of fatigue and some niggles and soreness starting to set in.
Highlights included the narrow and twisty descent with generous truckloads of gravel down from the col de Pontis, and the somewhat dangerous but exhilarating descent right at the end of the ride after cresting the col des Sagnes.
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Coming up:
Stage Four : Sisteron to Valberg
Distance : 185 km
Main climbs : Fontbelle, Corobin, Champs, Valberg (nine cols in total)
Description : A stunning climb through a ‘geological park’ opens the day, before descending to Digne-les-Bains. The route then crosses a beautiful and remote part of Haute Provence, taking in two unforgettable climbs. The Col de Valberg provides the first of two dramatic mountain-top stage finishes on the event.
Dave’s Garmin data can be viewed at
connect.garmin.com/activity/13408801
