I got up really early today, having gone to bed early and being woken by the cold.


62 Ten looks very cold at 6am.


64 Tent doesn’t look much warmer


66 Temperature gauge confirms the actual temperature.


68 This was the ice from the outer skin of the tent


70 Ready to go and awaiting some light to see with.


72 Time to go


76 But look at that sunrise


80 I set off down the other side of the mountain as there is a good trail and eventually find a trail back up to the top of the mountain – bring it on, my luck is changing.


82 Milestone (OK km stone) suggests 21.5 km back to base level.


83 Found this large pile of rocks stacked in an orderly fashion.


84 The top – bliss, and still only 8:30am


85 spooky.


89 2804m = approx 9200 feet.


90 More 10 second dash and pose.


91 Yippee…..another 23km of this.


92 Very dark, very wet, very slippery tunnel.


93 From further back this looked blocked off and I had visions of doing the whole mountain again the other way, fortunately not, whew..


95 Met this lovely Italian couple about to go up into the tunnel and up the mountain on the Yamaha Grizzly. They paid about 12,000E for it. Mad as march hares but lovely.


Once at the base I set of for the next Col, Col du Vars. I get there via Oulx, back into France, Briancon and Guillestre. When I get to Guillestre my belly says stop and eat so being the obedient kind of chap that I am, I naturally oblige. Whilst I am waiting for my food I look at the map and consider my options. Whilst folding and unfolding incessantly I see the name Monaco. I’ve never been there. OK lets go. Monaco it is then.


After grub I set off again and as I approach the village of Vars I pass a group of French bikers eating at a good view point and decide to turn around and take a picture. As I pull up they call me over to eat (again!) with them. I politely refuse explaining that I am full. We talk for a bout 10 minutes and look at maps and I generally try to appear intelligent. I then give my regards explaining that Monaco is a long way and I have to go. I take a quick picky.


98 French good guys.



I then set off, go through Vars and on to Col du Vars (about 10km from the French bikers) and decide to take another photo from the col. I find this simple task extremely difficult as my camera is still sat on the table with the French guys 10km back the way. (Told you I get a lot of things wrong didn’t I.)

Back on the bike and hot foot back down the mountain. Halfway back I see the bikers coming toward me and flag me down. They collected my camera and left their phone number in case I missed them. I gratefully accepted my camera back and in a grovelling and embarrassed manner bowed profusely to the honest French bikers.

We all then set off again over Col du Vars. They set off like scalded cats. The guy in front was on an Aprillia Pegaso with his wife on the back. (Yes, same engine as my Ten). I kept up with him but only just but I was scaring the pants off myself so eventually, I mentally justified stopping for another photo (as you get older you find more excuses for your inabilities). My God those guys could ride and none were youngsters either.

99 My excuse for not being able to keep up with the French.

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