Day 49 Modane to Belmont-Trominet

140 km (87 miles) 2,389 miles total

A long ride today with, in spite of my claims if yesterday, about 900 meters of climbing. Only 5km short of the longest - and that was flat. First 100 km was a reverse of the stage between Turin and Sauze d’Oulx. Steeply downhill for the first 30 km amid magnificent mountain scenery. The huge mountains rising vertically from the valley, scaled by the ski lifts of the resorts. Averaged 27.5 km/hour in this descent - easily the fastest sustained ride of the trip. The next 30 km was still downhill, but less steeply. The mountains deeply cut by side valleys, and now covered with forest at these lower levels. Followed rushing, milky, mountain rivers the whole way. Frim 80 km to100km was flat with the road sheltered by avenues of Plane trees. Stopped for refreshment at the village of Epierrre. Outside of the village was a metal cyclist with the date 2015. When I finished for the day I checked and, sure enough, a sprint on stage 19 of the 2015 Tour de France took place there. The stage was won by Vincenzo Nibali, with Chris Froom third! Finished the first 100km at Chambéry. I had averaged over 25.5km/hour!  The main monument in Chambéry is the Elephant Statue dedicated to Benoît de Boigne, an adventurer who made his fortune advising the Maratha Empire in India before doing charity work in the area. It’s pretty ugly. Had a great lunch and a Guiness before setting off for the final 40km, which involved a big climb to Col de L’Epine. Rewarded with a great view of lac d'auguebelette. Found the camp site I was aiming for and wrote this. Lyon tomorrow. 😀




























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