May 31, 2019 Grenoble to Gap

Today was shaped up to be another killer day with 123 km and 1936 meters of climb.  However Bob got on line yesterday and found that we could take the train from Grenoble to Lus-la Croix-Haute which was 73 km down the route we were taking. This cut off all of the major climbs and left us with only 49.5 kms and 321 meters of climb.  However it was in fact a net downhill as we had a decent of 573 meters.   So yesterday we had hurried down to the station and got our tickets.  At 11.50 Euros it was a small price for cutting off 50 kms of ride and 1600 meters of climb.

The train left Grenoble at 10:10 and we were down to the station good and early.  Ken and I being new to French trains we were not sure what to expect.  So we stood around nervously in the station for 20 minutes before our train was posted on the arrivals/departures screen.  Finally at 9:40 it was posted and we hurried over to our platform.  We were glad we did as when the train arrived it was only a single car and with only two spots for bikes we were a little nervous one of us may have to get off.   Bob and I jumped on and hung our bikes in the two slots for bikes and tucked Ken’s bike into the luggage area.  We then proceeded to grab premium seats for the journey.  Our fears of getting thrown off for too many bikes were without basis as one bike after another arrived and crowded onto the train.  Most of the bikes which followed us were self-supporter bikes which were laden with huge panniers.

The train left the station, there were 4 stations which were real close together and the train barely got rolling before it was stopped for the next one. However after that the train had to climb the mountain to get the next station and you could hear the diesel grinding away. We sat back and enjoyed the spectacular scenery.  The snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys were spread out beside us.  It was a magnificent day and I was feeling that I should be out riding but on the other hand I was glad not to be climbing the big hills.  I was surprised at the number of tunnels and huge trestles on the route.  Some of the tunnels were quite long and one in particular was probably several kilometers long.  

Just as were we getting off the train Agnes and Judy pulled up in the car.   So as it was lunch time we all rolled around the corner to a little café which was just opening. Sitting and enjoying our lunch on the patio with the mountains as a backdrop was spectacular.

After lunch Ken, Bob and I rolled down the hill.  There was about 18 km of about 3.5% downhill grade which was just perfect a person could fly along at a good rate without riding the brakes but without being flying along out of control.  The road had a pretty good shoulder and even thought there was a fair amount of traffic it was great.  With 31 kms to go we turned off the main road and started up the road to Gap.  There was a good grade here of about 3 kilometers of grades up to 5% (as posted).   This took us up to the Col des Eygaux.  A fast downhill followed by another 15 kms of rolling up and down hills but mostly ups took us to within about 3 km of Gap.  There we were presented with an amazing view of the city of Gap and the valley.  We had to pull in for a photo before making the last fast downhill into Gap and our hotel.  

The weather was absolutely gorgeous making all the views so beautiful.  It was also a really fun adventure taking the train with our bikes and having a fun downhill ride.   Maybe there is a bike/train tour in my future. 

Terry