Friday, October 17, 2014

Day 3 - The Alps, Col de Lautaret

October 16, 2014
Le Montier - les-bains, France

Wahoo!! Up and over!! Was a long, slow climb where I averaged 4.4 kms / hour! That kilometers! It was only 6 miles to the top but bunches of switchbacks. I know I can! I know I can! And the views were to die for! But the lighting of very overcast skies and drizzling rain made for dark pics









I met a Belgium couple at the top. The man wanted to come over and feel my legs...and did! Then they invited me for a tailgate wine and of course I said Yes.







Lunch at the top. A fill up of water. Added warm layers. And off we went. I only wanted to get down to tree line for the night hoping it would be a bit warmer. Last night I think was around 40. Had my old 30* bag, long johns, and added my sox and fleece during the night. Tonight I'm already bundled up. Haven't unbundled since flying down 6 miles to this ski resort town. Found a sweet campsite just back of town on the river...again.




Gonna be another cold one. Good for sleeping 11 hours:). Sun is setting 6:30ish. Dark by 7. And no light until 8 am. I cannot and will not get up before the sun does. Why? I've got no place to be!

Today I finally hit a town when the street market was open. Got fruits and veggies. Then tonight I'm too cold and too tired to cook. Eating leftovers: pasta and pesto that isn't as good as mine, that's why there's leftovers. Had it for lunch too. Making myself finish it.

I don't want this trip through the Alps to end. I love the mountains! And the exertion to see them, smell them, hear the cow bells, linger in their beauty. That's one reason today took so long. I found a million reasons to stop...and I always like reasons to stop...especially climbing:)

Tonight was mending night. My tent stuff sack is always needing it's seams mended. My solar panels clip ties break away and have to be re-glued. And tonight I wanted to try an idea I had for a fender. There's a top and a slant on my rear rack. The top I put my plastic bag nighttime seat cover folded over. But the slanted section that parallels the sea at has me worried. I tried zip tying a flat piece of plastic to it, but that when I found out how much my suspension gives when I sit down. It was scraping the plastic when it looked like it had tons of clearing. So, I thought, something curved. A plastic bottle. And voila! I found one on the side of the road yesterday. Right size. Tonight I cut it and zip tied it and Yes, I think I've got it!



I found a candle by the side of the road today and picked it up. New evening ritual began tonight: drinking ginger tea by candlelight. Ahhh....



Livin' the life,

BagLady

Facebook: Kathryn Mossbrook Zimmerman

Day 2 - deleted photo

I have so many problems uploading portrait photos from my iPhone. What gives. This photo is great! Tried just turning it landscape to see if it posts. If it does, you'll have to tip your head. It uploaded easily to Facebook.




Livin' the life,

BagLady

Facebook: Kathryn Mossbrook Zimmerman

Day 2 - The Alps

October 15, 2014
Les Freaux, France

What a beautiful autumn day to be cycling through these mountains!







Other than a steep section in the beginning , it's been a delightful climb. I'm not sure exactly what altitude I'm at...over 3,000 ft. The top of the pass is about 6,500. I'll cross it tomorrow. The two challenges today were tunnels and signal lights to alternate traffic through work areas. The tunnels were noisy, but fine. The work areas were hard because the lights are timed for cars and I know I won't make it through before the oncoming traffic starts. They only shrink the road at the work site so there's always a double wide stretch before and after. I just have to time when I cycle through that small bit. And the road crews helped me :)

But when I got to this


I knew I had a double whammy: tunnel with a light! Oh me! Oh my! This should be fun! As soon as the oncoming cars came through I started not waiting for the light. As it turned out, the construction was at the far end and several light changes occurred before I got there. And when the workers saw me, they signaled when it was safe to continue past the skinny part which was on a curve. Whew! Love the claps and cheers I always get from those guys!

Finding a campsite looked like it was going to take time. There were pulloffs that I considered, but using April's attitude that something better is just around the bend, I continued. I was following a river all the way through this valley and could see a forest road on the other side with fabulous camping spots. How do I get there? Let me see if Google Maps will work and show that road. Yes! And there's a small town just up the way with a crossover. So that's where I went. The town is old and dilapidated. But I'm in a grassy bank on the far side of the river. So sweet!

Deleted photo here...

Oh, saw some signs of the Tour de France on the road today.



Tomorrow, Col de Lauterat!



Livin' the life,

BagLady

Facebook: Kathryn Mossbrook Zimmerman