4 am, the alarm rings in my van, it’s cold outside. I wake up like a zombie, get my clothes on and quickly take my cereals. Today’s program is tough and exciting.
I get out and see the stars, I’m now in la Morte a small village in the mountains near to Grenoble and the sky is more than clear. Even if the moon is small I can see pretty well, so I can do almost all the climb without my head lamp.
I have been in the valley for a few weeks, trying new spots and trail. It’s not a region well known for me and so I listen a lot the other rider. And when my friend Antoine told me about the area for the first time I instantly knew I was going to try it. He told me that the lake area is beautifull but the best would be to climb the summit, He told me « This is high on people’s list » witch ofently means that it’s going to be nice and a little bit hard.
I managed mymission of the day to climb the summit of the Taillefer range, at 2857 meters from the village and see the sunrise from the ridge before the summit. I have a lot of informations about the trail, it’s generally the same used to climb and go down.
Now is the time, I climb the ridge and the sun rise. Suddently two mountain goats run in front of me and disapear in the slopes. The yellow grass, the rocks are orange and the snow is white. This time and vision are beautifull, exactly what I like in mountain biking. Be alone there and witness the beauty of nature. Calm and conscious.
I eventually reached the summit after a long hike a bike, the view is impressive over the Alps. I can see a lot of ranges and recognize a lot of mountains from the national parks and more. But my curiousity is huge and I decide to not go back be the way up and after looking at the map for a while I decide to attack the north face and reach the lake area. And try to get back to the van by doing the range tour. I know it’s gonna be hard but the challenge is worth a try and this is what I like. Be in the mountain for the day and go big!
The north face downhill was hard, steep and crazy. The snow makes it possible and impossible in the same time as it become slipery and dangerous with the ice. Slowly I can make it and get back on the rocks before heading to the lakes. It’s magical and beautifull, I can take my time and enjoy all the views. Before I can go down to the valley, where I had my second climb I go down trough a dry forest. Good time surfing the leaves. The valley is nice, with farm and village.
The third climb is mostly a hike a bike! Than I could ride the trail, it’s narrow and exposed but I like it and when I get to the pass I finally reach a very different valley and atmosphere. But with good riding. I start to feel the heavy legs but the fun is high and I make the most of the day! The last climb get me back to La Morte and I can get in my van to rest and enjoy the ray of sun, drinking natural srping water.
The sun in my eyes, my legs are dirty and sore. I feel complete and have memories for years. This is biking, a ride to our limit and a opportunity to live our adventure every day.
ALOHA
Tito
