Our first morning in Briancon! The fellas embarked on the first Briancon fun ride. Today: the Lautaret from Briancon. After breakfast, we were #oktogo. We rolled out, as giddy as Jodie Foster at a Gay Pride Parade. Headed out with ME first wheel and IMMEDIATELY took a wrong turn. Count on my excellent directional leadership!
Then, POW. Ticket blows a front tire. This guy was about ready to join these fellas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAAKPJEq1Ew
Seriously, If it weren't for bad luck he'd have no luck at all. But remember, the Ticket is Bigger than his [bike] problems. As Toni would say, it coulda been worse. We were right across the street from a French version of Dick's (Le Coq's, or somesuch). And Todd was able to procure another tube. Once his hands stopped shaking, he changed the tyre (Euro Spelling!) and off we went. Note that Yetis are directionally superior in the Alps. So you pretty much can follow their directions.
Once we got on D1091, there was no getting lost. The climb up the Lautaret was deceiving but a straight shot. Pretty low grades (3%-5%) for about 15 miles. Here are some pictures. For some reason I have no pictures of the Yeti on this climb. Perhaps he blends into the mountain backdrop. This would explain his elusive nature.
German, wearing italian kit,
capturing French Alps
Some would say it was "The Best Night Ever!" Not gonna opine on rankings, but it was pretty dang good. Everyone was chilled, filled and smiling. After an obligatory desert, we listed back home for the evening. Whiskey was poured, wine as well. The vacation was hitting its stride!
Word is that the German and Ling Ling also had a spectacular, if unairconditioned, evening at the castle. As this blog is a first-person kinda creation, perhaps the German will post his own hijinx here on their Italian sidetrip.
NEXT UP - -
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF THE PIG OF THE ALPS!
Then, POW. Ticket blows a front tire. This guy was about ready to join these fellas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAAKPJEq1Ew
Seriously, If it weren't for bad luck he'd have no luck at all. But remember, the Ticket is Bigger than his [bike] problems. As Toni would say, it coulda been worse. We were right across the street from a French version of Dick's (Le Coq's, or somesuch). And Todd was able to procure another tube. Once his hands stopped shaking, he changed the tyre (Euro Spelling!) and off we went. Note that Yetis are directionally superior in the Alps. So you pretty much can follow their directions.
Once we got on D1091, there was no getting lost. The climb up the Lautaret was deceiving but a straight shot. Pretty low grades (3%-5%) for about 15 miles. Here are some pictures. For some reason I have no pictures of the Yeti on this climb. Perhaps he blends into the mountain backdrop. This would explain his elusive nature.
Cha-Ching! Money Shot!
Climbing his Col du Problems
capturing French Alps
Near the top, all but Doc and ME bailed back to Briancon. Ullrich had decided to take his bride to a castle in Italy, and BigProblems and the Yeti were ready for some respite. So they all missed this:
Doktor at the top.
The ride down was sweet. Straight shot, little need to tap the brakes. Yeti has some good video. Apologies for the length of this link.
https://fbcdn-video-a-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xft1/v/t42.1790-2/11691694_10207027505231142_1995254360_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjEwMDYsInJsYSI6NTEyfQ%3D%3D&rl=1006&vabr=559&oh=bc0331e5f0aef42b2430f0eee16c5599&oe=55C27801&__gda__=1438807889_282312f0db0d0e72ba129ec6690f2cd3
Dinnertime!
https://fbcdn-video-a-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xft1/v/t42.1790-2/11691694_10207027505231142_1995254360_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjEwMDYsInJsYSI6NTEyfQ%3D%3D&rl=1006&vabr=559&oh=bc0331e5f0aef42b2430f0eee16c5599&oe=55C27801&__gda__=1438807889_282312f0db0d0e72ba129ec6690f2cd3
Let's Eat Already!
Ullrichs decided they were still up for an Italian castle adventure. The rest of us were D-U-N with driving, and passed on the trek back over the Hill into Italia. We were now Ullrich-less. With no occupying German forces, we felt free to wander over to the Old Town for some drinks and dinner. Our initial goal was to dine at the Foot of the Gargoyle, a well-reviewed establishment focusing on local fare.The food of the Montagnard!
Montagnard, ( French: “Mountain Man” ). The French Mountain Man eats some good stuff. Meat, Potatoes, Bread, Cheese. No focus on snails/duck/coneys in the Alps. NO! (french for no). Of particular focus is Fondue. Before this trip, I thought fondue was a practical joke. A way to eat but never get full. Not anymore! In our search for repast, we were summarily rebuffed at the Foot of the Gargoyle. They were full, and they apparently don't turn the tables more than once per evening. We wandered around until we found another proper native joint, tucked away on a side street. Le Bistrot de la Paix. Next time you are wandering the streets of Briancon, shake your wand on over to this place. It proved to be a winning gamble, as the whole experience was phenomenal. Four folks ordered Fondue, I dined on Pork Tenderloin (little did I know it was 'the pig of the alps'). JJ had a salad that Elaine Benes would have fought over, and the Doktor ordered something good that came with serving of frites that fed the entire table. Climbers need calories, and both hills and Kcals were available at every turn! Once again, the wine was inexpensive and spectacular. Côtes du Rhône is the bomb diggety, as Robert Parker would say. If he were in his late 40's and knew very little about wine. The evening was indeed magical. Check out our famous server, working a summer internship between semesters at Hogwarts...
You're a Wizard Harry!!
Women of the world, fear this man!
mcYeti and Wife
Walking Trees in Old Town!
Word is that the German and Ling Ling also had a spectacular, if unairconditioned, evening at the castle. As this blog is a first-person kinda creation, perhaps the German will post his own hijinx here on their Italian sidetrip.
NEXT UP - -
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF THE PIG OF THE ALPS!
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