When I got down to Sault I had a look at a map again to find a way across to the Alpe and decided to head for Gap.

The route took me to Montbrun Les Bain, Senderon, and into the Gorges du Meouges.

There were lots of big climbs before I got into the Gorge and one night I had to camp in a children's play area in the middle of a village, there was a power point on one of the poles and I could charge my phone up. The next morning I was woken by people walking dogs, but everyone was friendly.

It was the football European champions final and so I camped again in another village in the Gorge, but no bar was showing the final. I had a meal and a chat with some Belgians.

Gorges Du Meouges

Next day going along this beautiful gorge just before a tunnel I met the Belgians again.

The rock formations in the gorge made it hard to see where the road went.

After the gorge I went through Sisteron and followed the river up to Gap, once again the were huge rock formations, towers and strange shapes.

Then a huge thunderstorm was approaching and I sped up to reach Gap before the rain got to me, down into Gap I was just ahead of the rain. The lightning was all around the hills, then as I passed a sports ground alightning struck a floodlight stancion.

I came round in a vet's room with cup of tea in my hand and a dog with a lampshade on its head, to stop it biting its wound. Surreal. The lightning had caused a shock through my bike and my hands opened and I lost control of the bike. People in cars took me to the vets as it was the nearest place. Thank you.

As I was still groggy I found a camp site half way up the hill out of Gap, and decided to have a rest day.

There was an Irish tarmacing gang staying there so I managed to get an english paper off them. they offered me a job translating for them, even got me to speak to a customer about a problem,

But I had things to do places to go.

From Gap over the Col D'Ornon and into Bourg D'Oisains, camped right at the bottom of the Alpe at Piscine camp, had to ride to corner 21 with the trailer on first just so BOB could rest

Met a Dutch/Canadian named Richie and we had a good chat and changed brake blocks together. Got bitten to hell by skeets ( mosquitos). that night we had a few beers and a meal in the town.
Next morning Richie was off to Pont Du Gard and then Barcelona and I was fulfilling another dream, to climb the Alpe D'Huez,

21 corners, non stop, never walked and really enjoyed it, without BOB, the trailer,, cycling seems really easy.

Turn 10

Each of the turns are numbered from the bottom starting at 21, at turn 3 there was a professional photographer.

The Photo he took

90mins later I am leaving the tunnel and up the final ramp. Had a drink in the cafe and met other cyclists who had climbed Alpe D'Huez hat day. Then the descent and a few minutes later I am back at my tent.