The monster day of climbing and continuous RAIN!!!. 133km, 4700m climbing. Col de la Madeleine then Col Du Glandon, and finally Alp D'Heuz. That is a lot of climbing, on a very wet day, and for about 15-20% of the field it was too much as they were pulled from the race on the road.

The forecast was for rain, and it rained. After a very nice hotel and evening in Courchevel 1650 where we stayed last night, today was a shock. Dropping down to the start 5km down the road was the only time it did not rain. The first 25km were neutralized, so slow, and raining, then the climbing began, in the rain.

Col de la Madeleine. 1,500m climbing up, up and more up. Pete got away from me here, and to tell you the truth I was happy to set my own pace up this monster. It goes on forever, and the real kicker came in the last km as i battled by myself a hell of a head wind. I could see the other up the road, but it would have been a real effort to get across to them. Thinking that the timing had stopped, I stopped, had something to eat, as well as put on my jacket. The timing was not off, but my strategy paid off later in the day, as I was well fed and felt better compared to others.

Pete's day started to turn bad here as he broke the zip on his windbreaker, first time he had worn it. 20km downhill in pouring rain, and about 5 degrees C, set him up for a monster bonk (cycling term for running out of energy), later in the day.

Down off the tops and back into the trees, shivering for all I was worth, before starting the next climb, the Col du Glandon. We could not see much of this as it was raining, or the clouds came in, and it was foggy. Off and on we saw high mountains and alpine meadows, with the odd cheese maker as well. If we had been cycle touring, not racing, our bags would be full of cheese. This time, all I could do was think how warm and dry it would have been inside. Leah did not even see the cheese places!

The worst part of the climb was the last 3km, where i am sure it kicked up to over 10%. High above the tree line, into a headwind, we all groveled to the top, and it could not come fast enough in the cold rain.

The biggest savior of the day came in the form of a plastic poncho the organizers gave out for the downhill. Pete finished just in front of me, and we has shivering and looking bad, so bad that on the un-timed downhill we stopped in hot tea and soup. I was worried he was going to fall off his bike, or his hands were going to freeze up and not be able to brake. My goal was to get him to the base of the Alp D'Heuz climb, and then I knew he would be stubborn enough to grovel up, which he did, but he suffered. I had a better climb.

Leah is the rock star of the day coming in 7th women, when ½ the women's field got cut on the road. She is now 3rd in her age group and is looking strong. She was all smiles when i first saw her at the finish, and is a little tired now, but pretty happy with the world at the moment. Long may it last.

Leah's quote for the day. I want a fucken derailer that works, and it was really hard.

Results
Leah: 6:45:56 for 7th on the road and

Pete: 5:25:38 for 63rd and 49th overall.

Hamish: 5:19:57 for 53rd. Now 45th overall.

Tomorrow, an uphill time trail up the legendary Alp D'Heuz! More tomorrow, and the weather looks better..

Sorry no photos, as it was too wet!