The campsite at Briancon was excellent with a common room (TV and WiFi access) and a laundry with driers that actually worked. A beautiful and breathtaking climb from Briancon through a picturesque valley to Col de l'Izoard, then on to Col de Vars and the slightly lower but still quite lengthy climb over the top in the direction of Cote D'Azur and Nice, our final destination. Not bad gradients here although l'Izoard dishes out some punishment early at 10-11% and then at the end (12%)! Tomorrow we tackle one of the longest and highest climbs to the "top of the Alpes" - La Bonnette (2800m) - and the magestic view of the Alpes from the highest point of our trip
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| Alpine camping experience (there is no room to swing cats) |
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| view from tent at Briancon campsite |
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| Briancon |
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| ruined and re-furbished farm buildings on way to l'Izoard |
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| Torrent de l'Izoard |
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| Cervieres |
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| La Draye |
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| meadows around village |
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| motor bikers descend on road to Col de l'Izoard |
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| Peter MacKenzie chugs up l'Izoard |
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| Refuge Napoleon near top of Col de l'Izoard |
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| Peter Mackenzie and I at Col de l'Izoard (an epic climb) |
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| on the southern side of l'Izoard (layered for chilly ride down) |
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| l'Izoard profile |
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| Harry at l'Izoard |
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| moonscape near Col de l'Izoard ("Casse Dessert") |
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| Casse Dessert |
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| valley stream en route to Vars |
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| lunch stop Guillestre |
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| valley en route to Col de Vars |
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| a welcome sight for cyclists on the road to Vars |
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| road to Vars |
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| Pip gets re-shod at Col de Vars - Richard is farrier |
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| Vars |
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| Harry at Col de Vars |
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| monument at Col de Vars |
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| Col de Vars |
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| Vars |
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| L'Ubaye |
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| campsite at Barcelonnette |
YouTube link here
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