Next up, on what had already been a pretty good touring day, was the Col du Galibier, a nearly perennial station on the Tour de France, and obviously more traveled by two- than four-wheelers.
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Interesting rock pinnacles on the way down from Madeleine |
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Heading up toward Galibier and its monuments; bicyclistes everywhere |
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Very popular with moto-enthusiasts too |
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Note absence of guard rails |
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The place is a magnet for parasails too: drive to the top, harness up, take a running leap into the void, and (hopefully) soar |
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Street scene |
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Switchback city |
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A one-lane 130 year old tunnel (re-done in 2002 or so) brings you finally to |
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The pass, Col du Galibier, and its monument to Henri Desgrange, founder of the Tour de France |
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Ever onward and downward; the writing on the road offers encouragement to the Tour de France riders of yore |
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Bicyclistes whizzing by |
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Celebrating their achievement |
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The road went ever on from there, but, having now gotten the gist of the Route des Grandes Alpes, we decided to begin our journey back to Paris and to spend some more time in Burgundy along the way |
And thus we spent the night in a sort of camping
aire, with a scene
reminiscent of New Zealand, before turning back north
1 comment:
Can't even imagine riding a bike up there. I am impressed by those who can, though! The only time I have ever seen herds of sheep like that was in Turkey.
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