September 8, 2009
Bourg St Pierre: Into the mountains
It doesn't sound very far but it was hard and we climbed nearly 1200m.
We slept pretty well and packed up in a light dew. Our kind neighbours from Berne gave us a cup of tea and we were away by 8.30.
The road soon swung to the left out of Martigy and headed up a narrow valley with lots of traffic including trucks. It was very uncomfortable and we walked some of the time as we felt safer. It did get a bit better as the valley widened and a hard shoulder appeared We stopped for a coffee in a small bar in the centre of Sambraucher.
There were lovely views of vineyards and grassy fields and then a cycle track appeared just off the main road but this only lasted for 2-3km. Orsieres was the next town. It was quite big, big enough to have a bar where we had our second cup of coffee about midday and there was a cycle and chain saw shop where after a prolonged search we found two longer screws for our carriers.
After Orsieres everything changed and we didn't ride again. It was very steep and even pushing was hard work. Lunch (bread and cheese) at 1pm then we pushed on. Tricia was getting very tired but we battled on. At Liddes we had a brief stop and after this the gradient got a bit better and we continued on to Bourg St Pierre.
We had planned to camp but settled for a motel which was right in front of us - it wasn't a tome to be choosey.
Had a great time at dinner. We had a Fondue and a lovely Swiss Gamay and an expensive ice cream. next to us were a couple from Manchester on their motorbikes who had just come from Corsica. Two horse riders arrived, they were pleased that they had found hay and a place for their horses for the night
Today's ride: 29 km (18 miles)
Total: 1,226 km (761 miles)
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