The Raid Alpine
Postcard by Jonathan Baxter

Saturday 4th August:
We arrived at the Hotel Cote Sud in Thonon les Bains on the shores of Lake Geneva at 16.00hrs. The 42 riders on the trip assembled their bikes before dinner ready for tommorrows start, except for Carol McLaren, who arranged her own flight to Geneva, and the bike didn't arrive. Fortunately we are supported by Diamondback and carry spare bikes for emergency cases like this.

Sunday 5th August: Thonon les Bains (Lake Geneva) to Notre Dame de Bellecombe:
Our group consists of 42 riders, who left the Hotel Cote Sud in Thonon le Bains this morning under sunny skies. The first day takes the riders from Thonon les Bains (Lake Geneva) to Notre Dame de Bellecombe, Nr Megeve.
Everybody enjoyed the ride apart from George Meltham who crashed on the descent from Araches and was rescued by our back up vehicle which took him to Sallaches hospital with a deep cut to his head and a broken collarbone. I'll keep you updated on his progress but it looks like he'll be kept in for a few days under observation.

Monday 6th August: Day2: Notre Dame de Bellecombe to Val d'Isere:
The riders left Notre Dame de Bellecombe this morning under cloudy and overcast skies for the ski station of Val d'Isere. During the ride they will climb the Col des Saisies, Col de Pre, Col du Cormet de Roseland, and the climb to the ski station of Val d'Isere.
The riders found the little know climb of the Col de Pre difficult as it climbs 743m in only 5km. It was here that Tim Mansfield packed. Rain came in for the afternoon and everyone got wet except John North who arrived at Val d'Isere in the dry and even before Eddie in the coach.
I am pleased to say that George Mettam has been released from hospital and he joined us at Val d'Isere this evening.

Tuesday 7th August:Day3:Val d'Isere to Susa (Italy):
Today the riders left the ski station of Val d'Isere for the Italian town of Susa, climbing the mighty Col de L'Iseran (2,764m) and the Col du Mont Cenis (2,100m). Yesterdays showers had gone and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, which allowed the group fantastic vistas from the roof tops of the Alps.
On the descent of the Col de L'Iseran, John Hume decided to get in the back up car as his brake blocks had worn out and he was suffering brake failure. He had not had his bike serviced before the tour!! He had new brake blocks with him and changed them at the bottom of the Col de L'Iseran.
Jim is 52 today, and I have arranged a birthday cake for him at the hotel.

Wednesday 8th August:Day4: Susa to Vars Ste Marie:
Back into France today, and it was a cloudy start which turned to rain on the Col de Montgenevre. By the time everyone reached the Col de L'Izoard the sun came out which made for a very pleasant ride as it was dry but not too hot for climbing.
The majortity of people thought the Col de L'Izoard was a very hard climb.
We spent the night half way up the Col du Vars at the village of Vars Ste Marie.

Thursday 9th August: Day5: Vars Ste Marie to Auron:
Today the riders climbed the second half of the Col du Vars and then the mighty Col de Restefond, at 2,900m it is arguably the highest road in Europe. The day started dull and cloudy in the morning and started drizzling when the last of the group were descending the Col du Vars. By the time everybody started the Col de Restefond it was fine.
The majority of people climbed the Restefond in 2hrs 45mins to 3hrs 30mins apart from John North who climbed it in 1hr 53mins. Everybody enjoyed the challenge of climbing Europe's highest road but it was very cold on top (5ºC).

Friday 10th August:Day6:Auron to Grasse:
Today we left the high Alps for Provence and the perfume town of Gasse. Although out of the high Alps, today is one of the hardest of the whole tour, the longest day 160km, 35ºc to 40ºC, and still a fair amount of climbing.
There wasn't a cloud in the sky and temperatures soared to 40ºC in the Gorges du Cians. Everybody found the day very hot and in the water troughs in Aiglun, riders were dipping their heads and feet in to cool down.
The only person to pack in was John Hume, who packed in Aiglun with heat exhaustion and burning feet. I was busy making sure people had enough water as there are not many towns and villages along the route.
The last person arrived in Grasse at 20.30hrs, after leaving Auron at 08.30hrs

Saturday 11th August:Day7:Grasse to Antibes:
Final day to the Med, and yet another cloudless sky and very hot temperatures. The final day is a jaunt of 22km (mostly downhill) to Antibes. The group all rode together behind the back up car.
We arrived in Antibes at 11.55hrs, where everyone packed their bikes for the return journey home and afterwards hit the beach for some well deserved relaxation.
Those who chose the flight option were taking to Nice airport for the return flight, whilst those returning on the coach travelled to Aix en Provence.
Out of the 42 people on the tour only 5 dropped out, which is a good completion rate.

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