Two days before this picture was taken, on my trip from Nice to Geneva, I made a wrong turn and before I noticed it was quite far and I cycled about 120 km. that day. I arrived in Gap at 6 p.m. and there was no rooms available, because the Tour de France had just finished there that same afternoon. So I got to the tourist bureau and told them I was on a bike and had no room. They are fantastic, the best organization in the world to help tourists. Anyway, they got on the phone and an hour later I had a room at a cheap rate. The next day the Tour was leaving at 10, so I cycled their route as it was the only one I could take. On each side the crowd was gathering and I guess I was impressive with my panniers, my tent, sleeping bag, etc., because they kept applauding me as if I was a star. So I say to whom ever wants to hear that, once upon a time..., I was in the tour de France.

The following morning in Briançon, I had to leave at noon, as the tour that day was starting at 6 a.m.: no traffic was permitted on the road. I had strong headwinds, which is normal after 10am in the mountains, because of the sun. It was tough so I got to the first pass quite late.

The Lautaret pass is not so difficult, a long 6% hill for kilometers and kilometers. But because I was late the wind made it more difficult. If one continues downhill on the other side of the col, the next big city not far is Grenoble. At the peak is a wonderful old hotel, all built of wood, where in former days of horse driven coach travellers could rest for a few days if needed. Well I stayed there that night. I really needed the rest.

The next morning 6 am I hit the hills while there was no wind and no car traffic. At the Lautaret one can go downhill or up to another pass, even more difficult and steeper where most of the grade is 8 to 9%. This is the Galibier. On the other side is the Maurienne river valley, at the end of which is the Col de l'Iséran (Val D'Isère).

So I am slowly climbing this long steep hill and at the top was a golden age group: they were carefully watching my long slow ascent. As soon as I arrived, they all started applauding. These were Italians in their 70's who had rented a bus and had their bikes hauled at the top of the pass from which they would ride down. Well, better than staying home I suppose. Anyway, one man came to me and said: "Have you got a camera, I will take of picture of you. This is one of the major pass in the Alps, it's something to keep in your souvenirs and show others back home." - "I don't have a camera," I replied. He was so disappointed that he borrowed a camera from a friend and took a picture of me promising to mail it to my home address. When I came back home a few months later, it was waiting for me.

That's the picture you can see above.

I am very proud of it.

Gilles A. Marchessault

PS: Thank you unknown and most generous benefactor.