d22 c17 2011/07/31 0900-1530 47m680 Villard-Die

This time, started with the navigation mistake, adding 11k to the day.
The Vercors has some chasms, so to traverse them one has to cycle the diagonal road down one side and back up the other.   Eventaully made it to the Col de Rousset after a 1700ft climb, and then came the descent to Die.

2800ft in 20k and 8 hairpins  - -  tough on the brake fingers  - -  but enough strength left to lift a glass of Clairette de Die.

d21 c16 2011/07/30 830-1245 32k1019 2600ft Voreppe-Villard de Lans

Warmed up along the Isere valley then the climb into the Vercors.
Magnificant views on the way up to reward the effort, then grand vistas in the Vercors of the vast plateau and the surrounding mountain ramparts.
Continuous up for 2100ft then undulations across the top to Villard.
Time for a stroll around this holiday town, before dinner at the family hotel Les 4 Montagnes.
Passed the 1000k this trip.

d20 c15 2011/07/29 45m613 Thoirry-Chevalon (Voreppe)

Seen off from the chateau by Heather and John

Navigated Chambery excellently using the cycle paths H&J pointed out.
Found the destination road I needed, but, brain in neutral, chose the wrong direction on it.
After a few k noticed its number and quality had dropped, but, brain still in neutral, carried on.
At 5k brain began to engage, noticed sun to my right, therefore travelling N  - -  wrong direction.
10k added to the day.
Couple of cols to ascend and enjoy descending.
Had to attach bike lights for a tunnel.
Finished in the Isere valley ahead of tomorrow's big climb.

d19 c- 2011/07/28 Thoirry & Chambery

Relaxing day, in brillant company.
Strolled around Chambery, seems similar architecture to Torino, possibly because of rule by the Dukes of Savoy.

Slow lunch, many conversations about the characters in the now related families, supper at the chateau, early bed.

d18 c14 2011/07/27 0935-1230 14m569 Chatelard-Thoiry

Short ride today thanks to yesterday's exertions.
One long sunny 1400ft climb up to Col des Pres, 1142m 

then a short cloudy ride down to Thoiry, home of a Hilton family branch.   Lovely welcome.

d17 c13 2011/07/26 0810-1715 83k892 Cartigny-Chatelard

Good weather start and throughout the day
Cross country route towards Annecy with many up and downhills.
In Annecy, passed the site of Lycee Berthollet, where I stayed 50 years ago this month.
Got to my planned destination, Sevrier, at 1330, and decided to press on expecting to find a hotel.   Rode up and down the col of the Semnoz, but didn't find a stop for the night until 1715, so a long day in and out of the saddle.
Found I'd left my laptop charger in Cartigny.
Brilliantly atmospheric hotel.   Must return.

d16 c- 2011/07/25 Cartigny

Saw Will off with his bike for his train ride back to the UK (with one or two booking scares).
Casual day for me.   Strolled around Cartigny.   Watched England beat India in the first test.

d15 c- 2011/07/24 Cartigny

Enjoyed Helen & Rich's hospitality
Walked around Geneva's old town and part of the waterfront
Made phone contact with the Hilton clan near Chambery, and planned a route to them.
A later night than usual convinced me tomorrow won't be a cycling day.

d14 c12 2011/07/23 0900-1315 37m503 Les Rousses-Cartigny, Geneve

About 600ft climb to the Col de la Givrine

Then the start of a long descent to the lake of Geneva.  
Dropping down out of the clouds our first sighting

with Will's first 500mile trip

 and a lovely welcome from Helen and Rich in Cartigny.

d13 c11 2077/07/22 0745-1300 48k750 2800ft Champagnole-Les Rousses

Weather continues showery
Second day of up and downhills through the Jura  - -  another 2800ft in uphills.
Some were a surprise compared with our map.
Prompt start, excellent stopping point at 1100 for a sandwich, early finish.

d12 c10 2011/07/21 0955-1405 26m436 1500ft Arc et Senans-Champagnole

Late start to wait for a break in the rain  - -  weather as previous.
Main feature of today'scycling were the climbs into the Jura  - -  1500ft in uphills  - -  more tomorrow.

d11 c9 2011/07/20 0800-1710 115k660 Langres-Arc et Senans 1fall

My first fall  - -  low speed, scratches only
Longest ride so far  - -  Will's first >100k.
Decided to press on for as far as possible to reserve time for the Jura climbs in coming days.
Glowering skies again with showers occasionally opening up for some sunshine.
Thankfully no headwinds.
Again, rich scenery, with village architecture and building materials changing.
Gone are the timber framed cottages and church spires of the low lands, here its natural stone and church towers with a cow bell shaped cap.

d10 c- 2011/07/19 Langres

rest day
Will's new bike gear change cables had stretched so not all low ratios were functional.
Fixed by the local bike shop.   Vital for the coming Jura climbs to Geneve.

d9 c8 2011/07/18 0800-1530 43m339 Bar-Langres

Set out under glowering skies, and cycled into showers through the day.
My left knee sent twinges of ligament pain, so walked up any steep slopes.
No food outlets en route so arrived hungry.

d8 c7 2011/07/17 0830-1430 68k477 Vitry-Bar sur Aube

Crossed rolling hills farmland exposed to enervating side winds for 3/4 of the ride
then down in the sheltered river Aube valley for the last leg to Bar.
Best value for money hotel so far (Saint Nicholas)

d7 c6 2011/07/16 0830-1430 43m254 Epernay-Vitry le Francois

Followed the Marne right bank to Challons then the left to Vitry.
Continuous cross winds sapped our energy and slowed us.
No lunch stopping places so arrived hungry.

d6 c5 2011/07/15 1000-1635 77k340 Laon-Epernay

Late start to get some bike stuff when the Laon shops opened.
Our route crossed river valleys so lots or up and down hills.
Brilliant last few miles down through broad vista intensive vine fields into Epernay.
(scroll photo toright)
At E, the tourist info office helped to reserve a hotel room, and then got us involved in a champagne tasting event  - -  made it to the hotel.

d5 c- 2011/07/14 Laon

Staying in Laon for Bastille day

d4 c4 2011/07/13 0830-1530 49m164 Peronne-Laon puncture 1

Fast first half,
then slower because our guide took us off-road, where Will had his first puncture.
Carelessly left our pump at the site of the puncture.
Pushed our bikes up the back street steep hills into Laon.

d3 c3 2011/07/12 0830-1430 69k183 Lens-Peronne

Rolling countryside, many British and Commonwealth war graves
especially the Canadian memorial at Vimy ridge.
Managed to hit what we think should be our ideal standard schedule
- 2/3 of the ride
- light lunch at 1200
- 1/3 of the ride
- refreshments

d2 c2 2011/07/11 0800-1530 41m71 St Omer-Lens

Eventually found our way out of St Omer
Picturesque ride, and mainly easy going,
except for a minor deviation for a closed canal bridge,
and our first encounter with Flanders' rolling hills.

d1 c1 2011/07/10 1600-1910 48k Calais-St Omer

Bike meter stolen from my bike during channel crossing.
Found our way out of Calais.  
For this trip, using the 'ViaMichelin' guide for navigation by the cycling back roads.
Made it to St Omer without too many mistakes.