France Day 3

Day
3

We
were out the door at 6:20 am this morning to catch the train to take us to the
speed train.  As soon as we got to
the train station it started pouring. 

 

The
speed train was very nice.  We had reclining seats and plenty of leg-room.  We had a 3 hour ride to Grenoble, which I enjoyed looking out and seeing
the country.  We passes what looked
like a castle, and arrived to tall mountains.  Michael is a little nervous to ride the mountains.

 

We
do not have rain here, and it is hot and muggy.  It seems to follow us!

 

We
had an hour wait till we were supposed to meet the tour group so we went to a
Patisserie.  I took pictures
because I know some family members would appreciate the choices.   

 

Here
is a picture of our hotel room and the view we have out our little
balcony.  

This is a picture of what we see out our balcony.  Under the thick trees is a park.

 

We
ate lunch in the park just outside our hotel.  Every
couple minutes a mist sprays out to help cool everyone.  Look at the top of the picture to see
the mist.

 

We
met the group at 2:30.  It is a
nice group, a couple that is not riding from Indianapolis who are Tour fans,
and 2 friends.  The guys got their
bikes, and then we rode an hour to get to the bottom of the 16k climb to the
top of Alpe d’Huez. This climb is a tough climb the whole way up.  

Michael, Will, and Erik

This is our van.  It seats the 6 of us in the back plus bikes and luggage.

Here are a bunch of pictures of the climb.

We
would drive ahead a little and then stop and take pictures of them, and then
drive some more.

These
pictures show what some of the climb was like.

 

I
married a crazy man, in the midst of heat and pain, he is still smiling. 

 

Michael
is just over half way in this picture. Up on the far right is the finish.

 

Turning
around this was my view.

 

Some
people took the easy way up on these and then just rode down the mountain.

 

Alpe
d’Heuz sign on the mountain.

 

The
finish line.  It has a little store
where we got an Alpe d’Huez Cycling Jersey.  The first of many that will be bought on this trip. 

 

Oh
the Satisfaction!

The
podium for our group.

The
ride back down went way faster for the guys.  It is quite dangerous with 21 switchbacks and cars going fast
around the corners.

We
went back and showered before dinner. 

 

We
had a great day, and look forward to watching a tour stage tomorrow.  We will be at the finish line.  Michael is first riding 70k, while I will gladly ride in the van.

 

Lesson
of the day, always carry a 20 cent euro coin with you because that is all that
works to use the public bathrooms.