A Great Day

It rained last night in Chambéry but cleared as predicted as the day wore on. I got up around 6:30, had breakfast at 7:30, then took off for IFALPES and my French class. We wrestled with prepositions for the first part of the morning. As always, I struggled a bit. During our break someone from the office came and asked me what year I was born so she could put it on my certificate. She was very sure that 1949 was some sort of mistake. Yes folks, I was actually born in the first half of the twentieth century...barely. Well, I guess that I should be thankful that I am not as old as I look.

The second half of French class was great fun. We organized into discussion groups of five and debated things like

• 20 ans est le plus bel âge de la vie.
• Internet est une drogue.
• La campagne, c'est bon pour les vaches.
• Paris est la plus belle ville du monde.
• La télévision, c'est l'école de la bêtise.

At the end of class, I received my certificate. I had lunch with some of my new-found friends, and then said my goodbyes. I think that my French is starting to come up to speed again.

After tracking down a gas station so I wouldn't have to worry about filling the tank for the long drive south in the morning, I returned to my host family's house, checked the weather forecast, and took off for an afternoon ride.

Today's route was in the Chartreuse Alps.  First up was the Col du Granier, which begins right at the edge of Chambéry.  This is a 15 km climb that tops out at 1134 meters.  It's never THAT steep, but going uphill for almost 10 miles is wearing.  The views are no less that spectacular.  Mont Granier is right there as well as a beautiful green valley on the first descent.

Then it was up the Col de la Cluse (1169 meters) and finally the Col des Égaux (958 meters).  After that it is pretty much downhill to Chambéry.

After a wonderful dinner with my adopted family, it is off to bed.  A new adventure begins in the morning.

Some final thoughts.

• If you are into cycling, you absolutely must come to France.  The riding here is phenomenal.
• The French are really nice, and the food here might just be the best on earth.
• French classes attract lots of good-looking, smart women.  If only I were under 30 again.  Those of you who are under 30, take note.