Bicycle Diaries Conclusion

Chris’s Comments

Very well done guys, for non-professional sports people this was a tremendous achievement, and should all be very proud of

what you achieved.

The Tour d’France followed exactly the same route about two week later, and this was regarded as one of the key stages of the

whole Tour as it is was such an arduous stage, even for the professional Tour riders.

Geoff’s Comments (after returning to Australia)

If you are a skier, or a hiker, or a cyclist then you cannot appreciate how good Briancon is, unless you have

experienced it.

For cyclists Briancon directly accesses some of the most famous mountain climbs in the world; Izoard and Galibier.

The most famous, Alpe d’Huez is not far away for a day trip, using Briancon as a base.

If someone told me that if I could spend 5, 6, 7 days with a quality ride on each day I would travel around the world to do it.

We didn’t understand how possible it all is.

For cyclists staying a week an itinerary I would suggest is :

The ride to Guillestre and back over Izoard
Bardonnecchia (in Italy) via Echelle

Go to the top of Galibier and back.

Add the Col de Granon,

Izoard from Briancon,

Val Louise,

and then add a day trip to Huez, and it’s a dream come true.

It was the best holiday we have ever had. The preparation time we had in Briancon and the successful Etape meant so much to

everyone. Certainly the whole group is still raving about our time in Briancon. Little things make a big difference; having the garage

was great. Imagine doing all that in a hotel up and down a lift. We could do some washing; have some dinners in and some in restaurants.

So Chris thanks again for all your help in making our trip the best ever, and we look forward to being back again.

All the very best,

Geoff                                                                                      Home Page                              

Evening meal at the Chalet the day before the L’Etape