G_N#4 Col D‘Izoard 2.360m
It always comes different as plannend. That was stage 4 of our Tour crossing the Alps. Already the day before it kinda turned out that the next day after the big one with Col du Galibier, was to easy for us.
Already the day before drinking the after ride beer at the castle of Briancon discussions began about the routing for the next day. As of the success of the day we wanted more. Instead of riding the valley to Guillestre the idea came up to do the beautiful Col dÍzoard.
It was quite simple. A little climb up to Cervieres and then the ascent up to Izoard. The imposant descent to Arvieux including a gravel part to follow the detour because of road works, and then a time trial out to Guillestre to join the other group and from there do Col de Vars. Easy said easy done. And again the most beautiful weather possible - it was worth every single kilometer.
Especially the descent with the kind of marsian landscape was the most imposant collection of stones and rocks, trees and bushes i´ve ever seen. Unfortunately the pass itself was a construction area and the obelisk on the 2.360m high Col d´Izoard was a bit covered by fences, but the whole view in all directions was insane.
The ride along the river Guil with all that bridges and tunnels made the whole ride kind of complete - eventhough there was not a lot of time to enjoy as like mentioned this was a time trial in record time.
Meeting all together at the picknick place we already got used to the more retired old man style we did day by day ;-)
But Martin did such a great job and when you see a full table there is no chance to hide from the food - as one of the pics tell it always was good.
Again an icon done Col de Vars with its 2.108m still was a climb but we all took it a bit more relaxed already. As usual Martin was there to take a group pic, which we had already a bunch of. Coming to the hotel that day in Barcelonette really made us feel like retired. Another group which step by step came to the hotel - we already with the 3rd beer - did a "bit" more than we. I believe it was something like daily 170k and 3.500 m elevation. Sitting for dinner in town still a few folks arrived in the dark directly there, fully done; but ready for the next 170k and 3.500m the next day.
bike: pretty Betty, Specialized Tarmac S-Works
starring: Jürgen Kern, Michi Wagenhofer, Martin Koroschetz, Christian Kux, Robert Walli, Ossi Wiesinger, Günther Klement, Harry Köll, Gerhard Bauer, Elmar Schamp, Gerry Samer and Guide-in Melina
distance: 102,89 km
climbing: 2.542 m
time: 4:58:26 h
