Cyc'd European Tour 2014 - Day 5 Col des Aravis (and the Col de Couz shout out)

With a little air of sadness we left our Chateau that has been home for the last 4 days, especially after the wonderful hospitality on offer from Embrace.

A special thanks to James and Tracey for helping me out with the tools to remove the splinter from my foot before we headed out. 

Being 5 days into the tour RJB started the shenanigans (especially after the flattering photo of yesterday) and decided to relocate my helmet before we headed out. 

I resisted adding the #letthegames begin tag but I think it may be true anyway. 

Today we headed out for another shot if Col de Couz on our way out to climb Col des Aravis after heading through Annecy. There were plenty of tactic talk and strategising being a climb we had attempted before. After a slow (but steady start) I managed to find myself on the front setting the pace for the climb. There might have been a few fake sprints just testing who was on the wheels behind. Finally Matt attacked and picked up the pace. Stephen and I managed to hold on to his wheel and push on to near the summit. Stephen came around and sprinted for the summit. Sadly as the summit passed, Stephen eased off and I spotted the Col sign and pushed on to claim the line honours again for the Col, sadly the strava segment finished early and doesn't tell the same story. Regardless the three of us made it into the top 10 on the strava leaderboard again. 

From there we headed through the town of Chambery again on one of the most magnificent descents  to then travel through the town to head out to Annecy. Craig got a chance to practice is pavé skills through the Chambery. 

Sadly the route didn't go quite as planned but it did give the rest of the club members a chance to practice their cyclocross skills for the up coming season when we get home. 

Danny was particularly impressed with the stairs element of the route. 

The roads to Annecy weren't the most fantastic we'd travelled and in the heat they were quite energy sapping but the ride was totally worth it because Annecy was just beautiful. 

We stopped briefly for a team photo, while we all longed to spend some time in the most crystal clear water I have ever seen.  

Some of us were a little pre occupied to really enjoy the view however.....

We journeyed a little longer out of Annecy for some lunch before we started the climb to the Col des Aravis. It wasn't long before the roads started to climb and a small group formed at the front. RJB and the Flynndog set the early pace spurred on by the sight if the snow line. 

RJB still in the mood for some shenanigans started some mind games with the rest of us, starting sprints, trying some misdirection and trash talk to rattle the group. Flynndog was the first to suffer after one sprint session too many. RJB and I swapped turns on the front keeping the pace high pushing towards the top on a fairly steady gradient. Stephen one of the climbers in the mix picked up an injury and had to sit the climb out. Still it gave him a chance to enjoy the view on offer. 

Sadly the sprints worked against RJB and he slowly drifted off my wheel, with about 4km to go. The climb was very exposed and we could look back down the mountin to check how the chasers were progressing. In what felt like a eternity the 1km sign appeared and the gradient flattened out. Keen to keep away from the chasers I picked up the pace and managed to claim the line honours for my first major Col of the tour only just ahead of RJB. 

The climb was just fantastic with amazing views of the mountain passes and snow capped peaks. Epit was unanoumously agreed that this is by far the club's favourite climb of the tour thus far. 

From there the climbing paid dividends with a breathtaking descent into Fummet, with some of the deepest gorges I've ever seen. 

Despite leaving the chateau we've managed to end up in some accommodation with even more amazing scenery. 

Another great day, great ride and great company 

Friday: 

Green Socks -> Cam M. For posing every time someone's electronic gears changed thinking he was getting his photo taken. 

Pink Socks -> Tracey - for laying down the "Watt bombs" and dropping Stephen and James on the Col des Aravis. Because, and I quote, "they were just complaining so much about hurting I couldn't stand it and had to get away"