Tell us about your weekend ride

That's a strong week of col bagging, SF.

Well done.

Not sure which of those I like the most, the Croix de Fer is long, the
Galibier hard, Iseran long and hard, Madeleine at total bastard, Mont
Cenis is exposed (great descent down into Susa though), Alpe d'Huez
over-rated, Izoard hard and when I did it, swarming with flies (I had
my one swarm that followed me up to the summit, I didn't mind them but
told them if they landed on me they died, which they seemed to
accept).

It was too hot for me on Madeleine. We climbed Croix de fer, and I was pushing for a longer ride. Felt fine at the start. But 6km from the top my body seemed to give up. had to slog it out to the summit.

Nothing prepared me for the South side of Croix de fer though. I ended the day having climbed 4700m. So anything would have been hard. But it just went on forever. Barely a switchback, or a change of scenery. Just the odd short 15% section to screw you over. It was getting dark, I was barely moving, and desparately hungry. I figured I could decend to the appartment in the dark if only I could get to the top. Barely 2km from the top I stopped to put my Wind jacket on. But I was shaking from sugar depletion. Not from Cold. Luckily my mate that had driven to the base of Alp d'huez to do some shopping, had doubled back. He stopped and I could have kissed him. But then some idiot part of my brain told him to give me a gel, and meet me at the top. I made it. But I have o idea why I felt I needed to put myself through that.

Galibier (from the north) was my favourate. It just seemed to have everything. Woodland switchbacks at Telegraphe, a long slog from the ski town, winding roads at the top, and an impressive altitude. Plus that amazing TdF attack from Pantani in shitty conditions on the same face, added the feel of history.