30\06\18 - Viree en Vercors Souvenir Dubois-Jacob 133km Audax

Starting at Seyssinet-Pariset on the west side of Grenoble, PeterB & myself decided to enter this as our introduction to the Alps.  Although we had recced it the previous day, we still managed to get lost on our short route to the start.  Still, it afforded us glimpses of Grenoble that we don't want to see again!  I turned up with my routesheet & gps at the ready only to find out that the routes advertised were not on the menu.  So instead of giving the 100 a go, we got the 133.  The first 50kms was fairly flat.  And then it wasn't. 
At the base of the climb Peter (predictably) shot off and I didn't see him again until the top, a 14km climb he did 11 mins quicker than me.  After me taking a wrong turn we eventually found each other again whereupon I had one of my worst cycling nightmares - a front wheel puncture descending a mountain.  Definitely a brown trouser moment!  The last 45 kms was flat, so overall the hilly bits weren't too intrusive.  Got back to the Arrivee and asked for some water and was led to the bar where food & beer was provided.  This did come as a surprise.  Watched a bit of France V whoever then someone asked for (and got) the buff that I was wearing around my head.  It was a good introduction to what we had let ourselves into for the next few days.  PW.