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Annecy to Gap (1,971 kms)

Sep 18, 2011

There was much thunder lightning and rain overnight and the day started very dark under low cloud and it pretty much rained from when we left Annecy to our arrival in Gap. But…….the scenery was spectacular in spite of it!

Talk about sensory overload. We rode up and down mountainsides, overlooked wide and narrow valleys with little settlements drifting up from the lowlands to more rugged slopes and then forest taking over and continuing to climb to the rugged rocky escarpments, bluffs and cliff type mountain walls. We even saw evidence of some old Roman Forts which we recognised from our trip through Switzerland and parts of Italy last year. For good measure we passed a number of Lakes with some rugged glacial streams as well complete with the massive litter of rocks and tree trunks not to mention galloping muddy water.

The weather was so brutal that travel especially on the narrow winding mountain roads once off the motorways was slow and at times torturous and not at all conducive to stopping to take pictures of the spectacular views. In fact, often the views were shrouded by a gossamer veil of rain and mist and where there should have been mountain tops there were mostly cotton wool looking caps of cloud. In spite of all this, we met dozens of bikes so that confirmed again what awesome bike riding the roads provide, just a shame the weather was so rough so that very little attention could be turned to the view. In spite of that we oooh’d and aaah’d and wow’d our way through the mountains and gratefully arrived to a hot shower and got the gear off at about 1.30pm.



The only picture I took today in Gap to prove we were not the only silly people out on bikes

I thankfully stayed dry everywhere apart from the bottom of one jean leg and thermal leg…and squishy wet socks in my boots but Norm had a serious wet butt and back of thighs where he sat. Our hands had a bit of a broiled appearance from the combination of wet gloves and heated hand grip warmers. In spite of this the last of the ride in was very cold and my knees were aching by the time we got here. I was grateful for my leather vest and thermal tights and will also don my polar fleece jacket tomorrow as it is supposed to get to 0 degrees overnight and I’m sure we saw a dusting of snow on one of the Alps in view of our walk this afternoon….oh and yes, once the bikes were parked under the hotel (with many others’ I might add) it stopped raining and hasn’t rained since. Ya gotta love Murphy!

Bits and Bobs:

We actually got to within 12 kms of the Swiss border yesterday and watched the planes climbing out from the Geneva Airport as we walked across the motorway to the café for lunch.

Last nights’ accommodation:

Best Western International Hotel
19 Avenue Du Rhone
74000 Annecy France

This was a budget choice but still close to the old city. The staff was warm and helpful and the breakfast yummy but the rooms were very small and in need of a refurbish to match the nice new bed linens.



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