Day 3: Sun 29th June 2009
Ride: Barcelonnette - 190 miles
Today Pete, Chris P and Gaz decided to have a day off and spent their time exploring a bit of Briancon's history - and no doubt topping up last nights beer intake. Apparently at 1,350m Briancon is the second highest city in Europe, after Davos in Switzerland, and on 8th July this year several buildings including the city walls, Redoute des Salettes, Fort des Trois-Têtes, Fort du Randouillet, ouvrage de la communication Y and the Asfeld Bridge were classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The historical centre of Briancon is a strongly fortified town, built to defend the region from Austrians in the 17th century. Its streets are very steep and very narrow but very picturesque. The modern town extends in the plain at the southwest foot of the plateau on which the old town is built and forms the suburb of Ste Catherine.
A couple of views of Pete and Chris P (L) and Gaz and Chris P (R) with Briancon in the background
And another view of Briancon
Meanwhile Chris B, Kyle, Phil and Cat - who weren't adverse to a bit of culture but had different priorities - headed southwards. First they ran down the N94 to Embrun where Kyle and Cat needed fuel - those damn V-twins with their short ranges. While they searched for fuel Chris B and Phil pulled over and waited in the shade.
Chris B and his Boxer Cup
At Savines du Lac they turned onto the D954 which runs around the edge of the Lac du Serre Poncon. This flowing stretch of road is superb whether you're on a bike or in a car and the views are absolutely stunning. The ride around the lake rates as one of the rides of this tour with a mix of sweepers, twisties and hairpins that provide plenty of opportunities to get your knee down. It's obviously a bit of a favourite with the locals too as there were some seriously quick bikes out there. Chris B particularly liked the Italian he saw coming round a tight left-hander, Ducati cranked right over, knee to the ground with a grin that stretched from ear to ear, and giving a left-handed thumbs-up - it made riding on the 'wrong' side of the road look very cool.
The series of photos below were taken about half way round and give you a feel for how amazing the scenery was.
A couple of views of the D954 taken about half way around Lac du Serre Poncon
Lac du Serre Poncon (L) and Phil's K1200 next to Cat and his Tuono (R)
They then took the D900 towards Barcelonnette and turned right up the D908 to Col d'Allos. This is a very pretty Col with some stunning views on the way up however the road is very narrow in places and overtakes need to be planned. Having said that, the few cars that were encountered were easily passed until they reached the refuge at the top and stopped for some lunch.
Phil's K1200 parked in front of the refuge at the top of Col d'Allos
They weren't the only petrol heads in the area though as you can see from the photo below.
A group of Swiss Elises parked in the car park at the refuge
As you can see from the photo below, the view from the refuge looking north was impressive - you can see Barcelonnette in the valley floor in the distance.
After lunch it was over the top of the Col and down towards Colmar where the photo below was taken - heading south and just below the summit.
You then pass through a series of dreary ski resorts until you reach Colmar where there's a sign pointing left for the Col des Champs, towards St. Martin d'Entraunes. The road up is pretty dreadful - actually it's worse than dreadful and quite uncomfortable after you've spent a few hours in the saddle - however once you've reached the top the road down is very nice. Ideally this would have been better ridden in reverse, riding up to the Col from the St. Martin end.
A couple of views from the top of the Col des Champs
And one of Phil's K1200
At St. Martin they turned north and headed back towards Barcelonnette on the D2202 which would took them over the Col de la Cayolle. This was great going both up and down but was possibly a Col too far as everyone was getting tired by this point.
The signpost at the top of the Col de la Cayolle confirms your altitude, 2,327m
And two views from the top, one looking south (L) and one looking north (R)
From Barcelonnette it was back to Jausiers, over the Col de Vars, Guillestre, and finally the run into Briancon.
Tonight it was the final of Euro2008 between Germany and Spain and everywhere was busy. To save time queuing at the bar we needed a cunning a plan...
Phil sitting behind a 'giraffe' - a giant holder of Heineken that you can serve yourself (L) and Kyle and Pete who have clearly been sitting behind it for far too long! (R)
By all accounts Spain beat Germany which seemed to please the locals.
