This is the only day we start and end in the same location, La Toussuire. As with all mountain top starts, the beginning was the best part. 45 minutes of 30-40 MPH twisting descent. That was followed by a few miles on the flats which brought us to the ascent up the Col du Glandon. For the first time the entire trip, my legs felt good and the first 15K went well. Then it got hot and the gradient steepened from 7-8% to 11%. The combination of 4 days of 6 hrs plus per day on the bike and the gradient conspired to slow me to a grind. Summited atop the Glandon and then had a few more K to get to top of the Croix de Fer. Once again unable to choke down much at the feed station, I opted to cut the day one Col short. A rapid descent off the Croix de Fer, brought me back to the 12K grind back to la Toussuire. It was so hot the road was melting and pebbles were sticking to my tires! Finally rolled in to the finish, found some shade, and happily put my bike away for the last time this trip. Used the usual mode of recovery, San Peligrino and great French meal and the odyssey was complete.
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