Les Deux Alpes (conclusion)
About halfway up the climb, I was caught by a Tony Rominger-clone in a full Mapei outfit (I observed that the Europeans tend to really dress the part whenever they go riding--to not wear matching team shorts and jersey is more the exception than the rule).
(Below: Switchback 6)
Anyway, "Tony" is another serious-looking rider obviously in training (he was doing laps on les Deux Alpes, and this was lap number 2). I tried to stay with him, but as the road got steeper beyond Switchback 5, he pushed the pace and I dropped back. For the next 2 miles, "Tony" rode about 10 meters ahead of me, although I can tell he was also struggling because the gap between us narrowed whenever the road got steeper.
(Below: A beautifully
paved asphalt section near Switchback 5)
Soon, we were both laboring, and to keep myself motivated I pretended that we were locked in an epic duel and that I must stay on his wheel so as not to lose time.
(Below: Switchback 4)
With about a mile and a half to go, starting from Switchback 2, the road got progressively steeper, and the last kilometer was a tiring straightaway that finished at about 10%. At this point I had caught "Tony" and just stuck behind his wheel. He got progressively slower as we neared the top, so I took my turn and pulled to the finish. We parted at the top, I to look around the town, "Tony" to go back down and do another turn. He acknowledged our cooperation on the climb with a wave and a smile as he made a U-turn to go back down.
(Above: Switchback 2)
(Below: les Deux Alpes, at
about 5400 feet)
