A long day ahead with two major passes. The Col de Vars at 2109 m goes quite well, perhaps because it’s just under 20 km from my starting point.
The ride down and then along the Guil River is smooth and I even meet a fellow travel cyclist to chat a bit with.
The Col d’Izoard at 2360 m isn’t that high, just making the top 20 in the alps, but it is steep. As I turn onto the first part of the ascent, I join another race, the Haute Route. This time it’s a steady stream of international hobbyists. I saw riders from the USA, UK, Brazil, Argentina, and basically all European countries take part.
As I take a break 5 km before the top, eating a cereal bar, calamity strikes: a piece of tooth breaks off, the same injury I’ve had just over a week ago on another tooth. Talk about bad luck! I realize that I’ve got two options: get local help or go back home. As I’m not really comfortable with dentist overall and mine at home is really good, plan the trip back: ride from Briançon to Grenoble, then take a series of trains to Geneva Basel and Freiburg.
I continue onto the last kilometres up the pass, but I’m less than motivated, taking frequent breaks. Athe top there’s a finish line set up for the stage race riders. I ride down to Briançon, trying to enjoy the downhill in spite of everything. From the town I continue a bit towards Grenoble, my best way out back home, until I find a campsite.
