Day 3 Macmillan Alps Challenge

Today again was an early start leaving Valloire for the last 2 Cols. The biggies!

The weather was... PANTS... AGAIN!!!!!!

The Cols to be conquered today were Col du Galibier and Alpe d' Huez

The weather and conditions were just like yesterday albeit we had flashes of scenery on the way up Galibier so where I could I jumped out of the car with the camera. At the top of Galibier we heard that on the way down there were sheep on the road so be careful... they just didn't say how many sheep and that they were literally all over the road!! I don't think I have ever seen as many sheep on the road as there were doing the descent of Galibier!! It was an ABS moment for the Henry as it was a very sudden stop!

A cafe at the bottom of Galibier were very accommodating on suddenly finding themselves being descended on by 34 very cold and wet cyclists and support crew! Hot chocolates and coffees en mass! They even set out the stove fire going and brought the girls towelling dressing gowns... lovely, lovely people the cafe owners.

After a while it was time to make their way to the lunch stop in readiness to complete the biggie and final col Alpe d' Huez.

After lunch I made my way straight to the top with my camera to get photos of everyone at the top. I got very wet waiting around and it was a challenge to keep the camera dry but it was great to see everyone coming through and I was honoured to be there.

After celebratory photos, drinks and buying of souvenir t'shirts, fleeces and caps it was to the hotel. Some had got too wet and too cold and having completed what they had set out to do, they came back very proud between my car and the transit van. There was no shame in not doing the descent... the weather was foul and people were cold and wet it was better to get them to the hotel and get them warm and dry.

The hotel was a bit disappointing but the nights celebratory meal and speeches were really great!

WELL DONE EVERYONE! £50K raised for Macmillan from this event and achievements a plenty! What a fantastic 10 days!

Tomorrow see's an epic 800 mile journey back home to Northamptonshire! Not looking forward to it but looking forward to the lovely R who I have missed terribly!