Another animal workout – climbed up to Granier in 7th gear, big chainwheel for the first time working on strength. (ratio 54T/24T). I had no idea that I could maintain that force level. The climb time was only 30 seconds slower than my PB for this year. Must be the Halloween effect. It should be noted that France does not celebrate Halloween which is en effect the Celtic New year – despite Brittany being Celtic. The French celebrate “All Saints” on Nov 1st and “All Souls” on Nov 2nd as a Christian take on the Celtic Halloween – which was really marking the division between summer bright and light days and winter dark and dreary days. This day marking the division was also when the division between this world and the “otherworld” was thinnest and spirits could pass through. The costumes were to disguise yourself as a harmful spirit so that the real harmful ones would leave you alone – or something like that. The French don’t quite get it though. Never-the-less today I rode past the perfect superstitious symbol and context as the short day ended…
Mont Pourri Glacier (what’s left of it) in the setting sun – behind Les Arcs and in front of Tignes.
Over the Tarantaise valley to Peisey going all the way up to Tignes – forking to the left near the end.
New town centre café terrace at Aime – photo from Sony Xperia Arc!
The last photo might seem out of context – but it isn’t because following the workout a mad craving for pizza had to be satisfied and this meant a trek through the town.