Croix de Fer
We’ve already travelled home and I’ve cycled my pancake flat backyard yesterday afternoon, but here’s a short recap of my last Tour de France 2021 stage.
That was Friday the 13th, and I had no idea if I would.even get out of the village on my bike.
I did (get out of town), but as the road immediately started going up at between 7% and 10% from our apartment, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get all the way to the summit of the Croix de Fer for the last time.
After all, it’s a formidable, close to 30 kms long, climb, I was not in a good shape and trying it with no warming up to speak of…
I had already done this climb during stage 4, so I knew what I was in for and it sure seemed a lot harder this time.
I decided to take the alternative “Route Panoramique”, which doesn’t change a lot to the total(s), but it does own up to its name because of the views.
And, it is way more quiet.
I seriously considered putting the bike in the car before taking the alternative route, but by that time, there’s only half of the climb left, so I didn’t.
I crawled my way up the not so easy last 6 kms, but as it was a lot warmer than during stage 4, it felt more friendly.
Honestly, probably the only reason I wanted to get up this pass one more time, was the homemade blueberry pie that was waiting for me there 😂
We then went down to Allemont, although that’s not a straight descend.
But I didn’t even stop to take of my wind blocker in the (steep) series of hairpins before Le Rivier d’Allemont.
Although it was hot enough, it wasn’t long enough of an effort – it seemed a lot harder back in 2012, when I threw up the food I had taken in at the (then closed) summit.
So, after freewheeling on to Rochetaillée where I started two weeks ago, my Tour de France 2021 came to an end.
Total for today: 60 kms and 1,820 m of elevation gain.
Link to Garmin.
I will write a recap in the coming week, with the totals and some more (links to) pictures.
