Bluebird Days

Haven’t they got wings, our men who have been able to climb up to heights where even eagles don’t fly? … Oh Sappey, Oh Laffrey, Oh Col Bayard, Oh Tourmalet! I shall not fail in my duty to proclaim to the world that you are like an insignificant and common beer compared to the Galibier: all one can do before this giant is doff one’s hat and bow.

Henri Desgrange wrote a hymn of worship for the riders in L’Auto (the daily sports paper) after it was first climbed in the Tour in 1911.  On the hundreth aniversery of this first attack on the Gallibier it will be climbed twice, once as the highest finish in the tour's history and, the following day, on the way to the stage finish at the top of the famous 21 hairpins of Alpe d'Huez.

The final stage of the Tour before the finish in Paris is the time trial in Grenoble on Sat 23rd July.

All these stages are within driving distance of the chalet and it will be possible, with an early start, to get to a point where you can cycle up the route yourselves before they close the road or, if you prefer, leave your bike at home and be dropped somewhere on the climb to watch these famous ascents.  There may be a bit of leg work involved but you will be guaranteed a good view of two of the most famous climbs on the Tour's route.