After rehydrating with a Bloody Mary the night-before (replenishing my missing salt quotient too) day 4 started with the descent of the Alpe d' Huez- a bit scary in a large group with 22 switchbacks to negotiate. We did get to appreciate the skills of one of the Cofidis pro riders who didn't seem to require brakes. Then a 20 or 30 K flat section of fast pelaton riding to the entree of the day, the Croix de Fer. At the time of this writing, it seems like a blur. Long winding uphill roads through wildflower strewn alpine meadows with the odd cowbell laden bovine at the side of the road topped with a feed station stocked with salami, cheese, water and Coke. My digestive system wasn't having any of it and after choking down what little I could, I descended down what must be one of the all time great twisting descents to the base of the last climb. At this point, my nausea and lack of calories caught up with me big time, and for the first time in my life, I flagged down the sag wagon about 5 K from the finish. A few hours by the pool, a bottle of San Peligrino and a great French dinner later and it was time for stage 5.
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