LRC Trip to La Chapelle-en-Vercors

We, that is Craig & Sally, Graham & Dee, Paul, Phil, Dennis & yours truly departed from Liverpool Airport on a typical July morning, that is, cold & damp! After some difficulties (!) finding our way out of Geneva Airport , initially exiting form the Swiss side rather than the French sector, we set off for the Vercors region and managed to run into a storm of tropical proportions. After weathering the storm & reaching the Vercors, it became apparent that there were two directions to travel – up or down! However it became obvious by the magnificent scenery, that we were in for a treat.  

On reaching our hotel at La Chapelle-en-Vercors (2,500ft above sea level), we were greeted by (they get everywhere!) four Old Lags – Frank, Keith, Tom & John P, who had just arrived by car from Calais . So the party was complete to enjoy the splendour (& the pain!) of the region. The next eight days were to be a succession of wonderful days, with glorious weather, in the saddle. We went over the Col de Rousset (1254 meters) & dropped down to Die (so aptly named!) & then climbed all the way back; we climbed the cruel Col de La Machine where Graham, short of fitness after his recent crash, battled heroically to the top despite severe cramp; we scaled the Col de Carri over which Armstrong & company were soon to follow. We visited places with strange sounding names, Pont-en-Royans, St. Martin-en-Vercors, Villard-de-Lans and many more. Magnificent routes through limestone gorges were often the order of the day, the most popular being La Grande Goulets – obviously to be renamed the Grand Goolies! The Gorges de la Bourne, part of The Tour route, was another superb excursion.

Tuesday saw the Tour come to La Chapelle and the Lags, Graham & Dee opted to watch from the town whilst the rest of us decided to view from the hill climb Herbouilly.  We sat in the baking sun and waited for the show to begin - & what a show! For a 1st timer like me it was a wonderful experience. The floats bearing gifts (Paul grabbed everything!) led the way & then the drone of the helicopters heralded the start of the show. Virenque & Rasmussen led the way 40 seconds ahead of the peleton where Armstrong, tracked by Ulrich, was prominent. The speed of ascent up the steep climb was amazing and this group had left many behind, including the dying Voeckler in the yellow jersey who appeared to be hanging on to a team car! As we all know, Armstrong hammered them to win the stage.

On Wednesday morning, The Old Lags departed for Annecy to conquer distant cols & so our party, now more select (!) was down to 8.  

The last few days continued the splendour, negotiating glorious routes superbly plotted by Craig, & amazingly, rarely going wrong! We chased Craig & Paul up the endless climb to the Col de Romeyere, just part of an epic ride which found us arriving back late for dinner! The last day (much cooler then the normal 100 degrees plus) saw us take the tour route over the Herbouilly to Villard-de-Lans – the last, but not the easiest, climb on legs that had traveled nearly 500 miles & climbed 45,000ft in 8 days.  

And so it became time to think of home & reflect on never ending climbs to lofty cols; the fearsome ( for me, anyway ) descents; magnificent panoramas; relaxing cafes eating enormous butties; the joy of riding on superb roads & the courtesy given to cyclists; amazement at Paul’s massive eating capacity; Craig’s job well done in organizing the trip & plotting the routes; the pleasure of such excellent company and finally, falling asleep in front of the TV whilst watching the Tour at the end of the day. Does it get any better than this?  

After an uneventful journey we arrived back at Liverpool – tired but fulfilled – and yes, it was raining!

                                    Harry Breckell