Is it hard, the Izoard? Hell yes

After a great day summiting the Alpe d'Huez we got our wish for steak and chips that night. Not exactly the size of steak we're used to back home but it was meat at least. Still feeling hungry we decided to share a plate of pasta as well and then top that off with a crème brûlée. Unfortunately the ice cream shop was shut.

Outside our hotel in Bourg d'Oisan 

Johno the joker shares a laugh with Dylan

Bernie (fromBoulder Colorado, contemplates a big day in the Alpes

Terry (Dylan's dad, explains something to Harold

So we started out in Bourg d'Oisan this morning from our hotel, bang in the centre of town. Briefing for the day was that we would have to be taxied to the start some 70km away because the tunnel near La Grave, en route to the Cols de Lauteret and Galibier was closed. Consequently Dylan, Mark and Frederika spent the previous evening devising an alternative route. What they came up with was incredibly scenic but diabiolically difficult. We were to ride 102km with about 2500m of climbing. The first climb was steep and unrelenting for about 12 km and certainly took the sting out of the legs, leaving us with another 25km and 1200 plus metres to climb to the finish after lunch. Destination: the hotel at the Ferme d'Izoard two thirds of the way up to the Col d'Izoard.

By the time we got to the hotel everyone was pretty well knackered apart from our GC rider Aaron. He motored away up to the Col, an extra 9km at 9% gradient. Pat, the almost as young Yank set out after GC and made it to the top but looked seriously knackered when he returned to the warmth of our hotel where the sensible ones were already into their 4th or 5th beer (which must happened to be my all time favourite Leffe blonde on tap).

Special mention goes to Richard (another Aussie) who was absolutely determined to get to the col despite looking like s**t. I entertained the thought of continuing on to the col feeling not too bad but decided to turn at the 7km to go mark to join the others for a beer knowing that we have another big day tomorrow over the Col d'Agnell, supposedly where Hannibal made the crossing into Italy.

He must have been almost as desperate as we are to get a decent coffee given the French seem universally incapable of coming up with a decent brew. Farewell France, it's been nice knowing you. Hello Italy tomorrow afternoon.

After taxiing the riders from Bourg d'Oisan to St Bonnet we got the bikes off the car in the rain. Heavy clouds hang over the mountain tops.

Doug double checks with Mark that the Garmin won't take him back to the start

What a fabulous view, descending down a mountain pass. Gap is about 30km off to the right.

At least the last 25 km to the hotel, despite being uphill al the way, was alongside a picturesque flowing river.

Tomorrow, the Col d'Agnell, highest pass of the entire route. Fifteen km downhill from the hotel, 30km uphill then 50km downhill to the finish. An easy day Friday then REST day Saturday!!