N2A - day 8: Tallard to Jausiers

Today is a big day for those of us who will be riding the Col de la Bonette once we reach Jausiers.

Some people will just be doing the 68km ride to Jausiers while others have decided to be taken to the village of Barcelonette at the 58km mark in the Support vehicle before tackling the Col de la Bonette. The latter group have decided to take this approach as day 9 is apparently a tough day encompassing two well known mountains - the Col du Vars and Col de l'Izoard. I will be riding the whole way.

The Col de la Bonette is the highest mountain we will ride at 2,802m. It is 24kms long and has an average gradient of 6.6%. It is also the highest paved through route in the Alps.

We departed Tallard along small weaving roads beside the Durance river before joining a busier road just before the Lac de Serre Poncon. I was advised the lake is one of the largest artificial lakes in western Europe, gathering waters of the Durance and the Ubaye rivers, flowing down to the the Rhone river. The waters are dammed by the the Barrage de Serre-Pocon, a 123m high earth core dam.

We gradually climbed beside the lake then descended into the Ubaye river valley. While there were some small villages along the way we would have needed to detour off the main route to visit them. As we were anxious to complete the 68km ride to Jausiers to start the climb up to the Col de la Bonette, we didn't take this option.

We rode upstream beside the Ubaye river with the mountains beginning to feel more alpine. On reaching the cobble streets of Barcelonette we stopped to refuel before tackling  the Col de la Bonette.

By the time I reached  Jausiers, I had ridden 68kms and climbed about 1,200m. At the stat of the climb, I lost my easiest gear and was to later to lose my second easiest gear in the last few kilometres of the climb.While I tried resetting at least three times, it was not successful.

We were continually climbing (which was confirmed by the Profile map) with the anti clockwise approach towards the top being over 12% . This was obviously made harder by the lack of my two easiest gears.  I was certainly glad when I finally reached the top. As there were steep drop offs into the valleys, one had to concentrate when ascending and doubly so when descending. Obviously there were spectacular views riding both ways and from from the top. Like all the mountains we had ridden and would be riding there were vehicles going up and down the mountain.

There was, like when I reached the top of Mont Ventoux, a real sense of achievement. I spent some time savoring the moment, taking in the views, taking photographs and talking to other cyclists and motor cyclists who had reached the top.While it had been another hot day, it was starting to get cold when I started my descent which was a great ride down.

We were staying in a camping ground for the night in Jausiers.  I went through my normal preparations on reaching the camp. I also had the mechanic look at my bike to try and understand why my two easiest gears had been lost. At first, he didn't notice anything then found that my rear skewer had come loose which meant I could have potentially lost my wheel - not a good thought when considering the sheer drop offs. Not sure how this had happened, however, it was a reminder to check before the start of each ride.

Not even a another cranky waiter or having to wait over for over an hour for my meal could put a dampener on what had been a great day of cycling through great scenery and the satisfaction felt. It continues to be a magical journey through a wonderful part of the world.

I have now ticked off two of my bucket list mountains (Mont Ventoux and Col de la Bonette) and have another two to ride tomorrow.

STATISTICS

Distance ridden today: 115.4kms. Cumulative total: 694.3kms.

Vertical metres climbed today: 3,112. Cumulative total: 15,335.

Getting ready for arrival of Tour de France.

Ate our lunch here in Barcelonette.

A view from summit.

A view from summit.

Me at summit

Me at summit.

Plaque on summit rock.

View on the way up/down.

View on the way up/down.

View on way to Jausiers

View on way yo Jausiers

Barcelonette.

Jausiers.

Jausiers

Bike at Col de la Bonette summit.

View at summit.

Old disused military facility at approx. 2,600m mark of Col de la Bonette. Apparently it is the Caserne de Restefond and was part of the Maginot defense line.