Day 7 Les Dix Alpes Stage 4 Etroubles - Bourg-St. Maurice (Pt St Bernard)

tiny chapel aloft in mountains

village en route to col

hungry!!! lunch - with bonus coffee and croissant!

pretty outlook from lunch stop

old chateau on mountain side

old church built into mountain

huge overpass into a tunnel on road to Petit St Bernard

Col du Petit St Bernard

deep snowdrifts on Col du Petit St Bernard

time for a quick coffee break and kit up for the cold ride down

YouTube link

After overnight rain and gloomy outlook this morning, the day didnt start well, and most of us would have been happy to stay warm in our sleeping bags, and take a well-earned rest. However our tour director Wilbert assured us that the weather "was lifting" later in the day. So we reluctantly layered ourselves with thermals and waterproof jackets and set out for the climb up Col du Petit St Bernard (2150m). After 50km on the flats we reached the lunch stop at the foot of the Col. This was Pre St Didier, and the Bike Dreams folk had arranged a sheltered stop at a hotel, which was much appreciated given the rain and cold conditions. The climb to the Petit St Bernard (and the border from Italy into France) was a steady gradient at 5-6% and conditions improved throughout the afternoon. Deep snowdrifts were evident at the summit as the road had only been opened a week before. The descent to Bourg-St. Maurice proved a treat as the road was free of traffic and the surface smooth. Quite a few hairpins. Most of the 40+ riders were back at the capsite at 3pm, giving a chance to dry clothes and enjoy a walk into town and a refreshing beer or coffee. Tomorrow is Col de l'Iseran and a relatively short stage at 70+km with a very solid main climb of 1200m. Garmin Connect link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186873782