La Vaujany Sportive - 1 July 2018

I completed the 175km "Grand Fondo" version which tackled the Alpe de Grand Serre, the Col d'Ornon and the Col de Sarenne before the final climb to Vaujany. As is normally the case in France the organisation was excellent with the route well marked and the feed stations well-stocked. Although the roads were not closed, all junctions were marshalled and traffic was halted so that riders always had the right-of-way.
There was a cut-off point at 102 km which had to be reached by 2 pm if I was to complete the whole route. I was concerned about this so pushed really hard over small lump at the start in order to stay with the main bunch for the first 30km, which were on a gentle down-hill slope. All very exciting bowling along at 25-30 mph with gendarmes marking road furniture by waving those yellow pennants - just like in the Tour de France. After that I settled into what I hoped was a sensible pace across the first two climbs.
I reached the cut-off time at 12:15 feeling very pleased with myself. Here the route took me up to Alpe d'Huez via the balcony road from Allemont. It was very hot and the slopes now seemed very steep. By the time I reached the feed station at the top my legs were starting to cramp and I no longer felt pleased with anything at all. Next was a dip down before the climb to the highest point of the day - the 1991 m Col de Sarenne. This was tackled by the Tour in 2012 amidst protests from riders that it was dangerous for racing. I could see their point. The first half of the descent was on a patchwork of holes, repairs and gravel (just like home). I spent so much time on the brakes that I stopped to dunk my wheels in a stream to cool them down. 
Once at the bottom there was about 10 km to go before the start of the final climb to Vaujany which boasted long sections at 10%. My legs refused to play and I was reduced to frequent stops to gather what remained of my strength. Eventually I made it to the top after 10 h 14 m. 
Moral of the story: don't go too fast at the start - but I already knew that.  GK.

Whilst GK was doing his bit, I was attempting to ride from Bourg-d'Oisans to St Jean de Maurienne.  The easiest part was up Alpe d'Huez.  I then rode back down to the village of Huez to get across to Allemont to be told that the road was closed due to some cycling event going on.  After much feigned ignorance and some arm-waving I was eventually allowed through, thus riding against the flow of the Sportive.  Many looked knackered!  As I left Allemont my problems started as my derailleurs, chain & cassette decided that I was out of favour.  I was saved by the occasional presence of PeterB (in his car) who not only had decided not to ride Alpe d'Huez but also had told me that I was climbing the Croix de Fer.  (I should have studied the route map with a bit more intent).  I rode the next 60km in just my second lowest gear, thus not gaining any speed on the less than hilly bits.  As GK pointed out, the roads on some of the descents were atrocious (and very scary) and I was so glad to get to my destination for a well earned beer (or several).   PW.