Epilogue - Guest Post from Rob Beezer

Despite some of the fubars, the trip was great.  Three travel days (one extra courtesy of Delta Airlines), and a day hiking in the Alps with my cousins.  But principally, eight days of great riding, with only two bad-weather incidents. And I stayed healthy throughout.  Lots of great food and coffee (will the trip be calorie-neutral?).  I rode four very famous major climbs: Alpe d'Huez, Telegraph/Galibier, Cormet de Roselend, and the Madeleine. I also discovered some other very memorable climbs, such as Col du Pre, Col de Arpettaz, Col de Cyclotouristes.  I know I will really enjoy watching the Tour go over some of these routes in future Julys.

Luther accumulated 40,000 total feet of elevation gain in his spreadsheet.  The total distance traveled is probably embarrasingly small, maybe on the order of 350 miles.  But perhaps 100 of those miles were on 8% grades or better.

Trip home is going smoothly, as I write on the Amsterdam-to-Seattle leg.  Thanks to Tom for enticing me over, and doing a great job as a novice professional guide, to say nothing of letting me guest-blog.

Thanks for reading.  As Tom is prone to say, "Keep the rubber side down."  We now return you to the regularly-scheduled blog, already in-progress.