So, the final day dawns bright and clear. I ride down into Sospel and get the stamp, just one to go!I know there’s only one col left and it’s a small one – 709m – it’s time for some Big Ring Riding! Well not quite, but I do decide as a tribute to all those amazing riders who ride these mountains regularly, either as a profession or just for the hell of it, to ride up an Alpine Col without using the small chainring. I’m feeling good this morning and I manage it…quite an achievement for me!
The final col!
Now it’s downhill to Menton and the torist office for the stamp at the end of the Route Des Grandes Alpes.
Congratulations from the staff and as I leave I burst into tears! I think it’s the relief and amazement that I’ve actually managed it.
Route card completed!
Getting myself together, I head along the coast past Monaco and on towards Nice. Just one detour due to the satnav – it tries to take me up the steepest back road I’ve ever seen! I get a mile or so up and then decide that I really shouild be on the coast road so find my way back down and cruise past the villas and yachts to Nice.
Nice!
It’s strange to be riding in a city again – my first since Geneva oh so long ago – I’m looking forward to getting back on the fixed in London!
Promenade des Anglais
I find the Promenade des Anglais and follow it out to the west towards Cagnes sur Mer where I know there are some campsites.
Exhausted, I celebrate with a beer and a portion of frites before getting the tent up.
It’s been an amazing journey, one which hasn’t really sunk in yet. I honestly didn’t know whether I was physically capable of riding the Alps. As it turned out it was as much, if not more, of a mental challenge than a physical one just plugging away at the climbs when it would have been so easy to freewheel back down and take the valley route.
But I’ve done it, many miles, many mountains, many calories and – amazingly no punctures (yet!).
Thank you to everyone who’s sponsored me and helped Excellent Development.
I’ll write more when I’ve had time to reflect a little more……
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Congratulations! You are TRULY AMAZING!!!! You must be a very proud and happy bunny right now. I trust you are taking the same route home…?!? S x
Top work mate! I’ve loved following the blog. You’ve inspired me to squeeze into the old lycra and upgrade to a Charge Plug, and am currently looking for a road bike to replace my trusty Trek hybrid (C2W scheme). Any sub £1000.00 suggestions gratefully received!