Day 6: Another stage in the Alps.

Out of the B&B by 8 am, stopped at the nearby boulangerie for coffee, croissants, and bread for lunch, and headed south to the Col du Glandon. The final 45 minutes of the 3 hour drive were spectacular; hairpin turns through gorgeous mountain landscapes, eventually climbing above tree level to 1924 meters. We had to walk the final 2 km to the top of the Col which was already crowded with spectators. We claimed a spot within 50 meters of summit and enjoyed the people watching and breathtaking scenery. Our luck with the weather continues, it was sunny, but much cooler...we had to wear fleece.

Today the riders were spread out much more than yesterday since we were at the top of the climb, and riding much slower due to the steepness of the road. It took 22 minutes for all to pass us.

We got to really get a good look at the racers, and I took literally hundreds of photos. American Chris Horner, who rides for RadioShack led the first group of six riders. The remaining riders came along in small groups, so it was easy to identify each. I got some great pix of George Hincapie, Jens Voigt, and Mark Cavendish, to name a few. And the best prize of all came when one of the BMC riders (Hincapie & Cadel Evan's team), tossed his water bottle at our feet. I'm sure he saw my BMC cap.

The walk back to the car was very slow due to all the foot, bike, and auto traffic, and the drive out of the mountains was equally challenging as we had to continually pass cyclists, who also passed us as they gained more and more speed.

Joni and I both felt this was our best day of Tour watching of our five years, and we topped it off with a fabulous dinner in Chambery at a restaurant called "l'atelier." The chef comes to the table to describe your choices for the evening. We both had a lobster and scallop fricassee which was better than anything like it we ever had on Cape Cod. Then for our main course Joni had steak tartare and I had a filet The walk back to the car was slow due to all the foot, bike, and auto traffic, and the drive out of the mountains was equally challenging as we had to continually pass cyclists, who also passed us as they gained more and more speed.

Joni and I both felt this was our best day of Tour watching of our five years, and we topped it off with a fabulous dinner in Chambey at a restaurant called "l'atelier." The chef comes to the table to describe your choices for the evening. We both had a lobster and scallop fricassee which was better than anything like it we ever had on Cape Cod. Then for our main course Joni had steak tartare and I had a filet of beef with a foie grase topping. I hate liver, but this was wonderful. Of course we had dessert too, and a bottle of wine to complete the evening. I hate liver, but this was wonderful. Of course we had dessert too, and a bottle of wine to complete the evening.