#bikeboxalan

When I turned up at the airport with my BikeBoxAlan the rest of the group looked puzzled... Yep I'm off skiing with my bike, is that so strange?

  Having chartered what appeared to be a private plane with 20 of us on a rather oversized Monarch flight we made our way to Val D'isere

  I spent the first evening familiarising myself with some cycle routes.. The one problem was they were covered with snow! However we adapt to what we have in this sport; I had 3000m altitude and some lengthy climbs. My first morning was therefore spent enjoying the climbing and nervously descending.

  While the rest of the group headed for beers in the sun I was on my way to the pool.. Val D'isere has fantastic swimming facilities, as you breathe you get a small (half goggle) glimpse of the mountains. I was training alongside a few other French triathletes, unfortunately the extent of my French didn't stretch to engaging in triathlon conversation, c'est la vie!

  3 days in and I avoided the slopes and braved the road from Val to Tignes. The climb was brutal which I tackled with a (half) smile. I was rewarded at the top of the climb with a patch of ice, I feel sorry for the French man that couldn't quiet lift me up; merci Monsieur! Onwards and upwards - I had a recovery swim and spent the afternoon with my compression socks full of snow #speedyrecovery

A stunning view on the road to Tignes

  I was also spending my days on the slopes, in the sun, with friends and perfect Spring skiing conditions. (and maybe the odd glass of Champagne!)

La Folio Douce!

  My legs soon took a hit so it was a trip to the massage table on my recovery day and plenty of hot&cold to relieve that heavy ache. 

  The snow came! The penultimate day saw over 70cm; time to get back on the board and enjoy this rarity of Spring skiing...