We were up and ready to go early this morning. We started driving, only to be told the road out of the village was closed. After a bit of discussion we decided to try the other route off, towards Col de Sarenne where the boys had ridden the other day. A lot of other people had the same idea but we met another blockade. We were told it would be 12 noon before they were likely to open. It was 9am!
We parked and went for coffee in a position we could see the roads in case things changed . We saw a lot of big official tour buses head out and a while later the cars started. We were on the road by 10.30, descending down towards Boug d'Osains. The pace was a bit slow but it gave us time to enjoy the view and critique the riding style of those biking up. Some didn't look like they would make it!
The road was mostly cleared and clean of evidence of the thousands who had been there the day before. There were some piles of abandoned tents, lots of painted messages on the road and a few people still packing up.
Once down the mountain the driving was pretty easy and we made good time. There were lots of little villages, surrounded by the Alpes, then finally the countryside flattened out a little and we could see more agricultural areas.
Into Lyon, the GPS got us to the car park recommended by our airbnb host. It looks like it could be quite expensive. We walked to the apartment, it is in Vieux Lyon, the old town. And it is uphill. I had forgotten about this, after the Alpes I was looking forward to some easier walking!
I had messaged our host that we would be late when the roads were closed so we had time for a little walk up a very big, cobbled hill and some lunch before meeting her.
The apartment is lovely, with views over the rooftops of old Lyon. Jude and Mike have first pick of rooms and made their selection. Both rooms are really nice, but they chose the one with the better bathroom. Good choice. Christine, the landlady, has offered her card to get us into the pedestrian area and the free parking . The boys went off to get the car from the car park and eventually made their way to the apartment with our bags. The short time we were parked in the car park has cost 6.60 euros so we will be saving a lot of money this way.
We chilled for a bit at home and watched the final stage of the tour (though the boys liked watching their go pro vision of the Col Sarenne more) . We have been running a tipping competition for the tour on different stages and categories. The winner is to be King/Queen for a day. Jude already had a great lead but has cemented her position and will reign tomorrow.
We sent the boys off to find supplies but not much is open on a Sunday.
Lyon seems to be a beautiful city. The area we are in is very old and reminds me of Italy, with the old cobbled streets and rooftop views.
When we went out for dinner we discovered a multitude of restaurants, most serving traditional Lyonaise menus. After wandering around trying to make a decision for a while we finally sat and enjoyed the beautiful Lyon night. Mike and I had saucisson, Jude had quenelle and Ken had frogs legs. All meals were really good. Ken thought his was the best he's had on the trip so far.
We had noticed a popular gelato store on the way through and went there for dessert. I had lavender flavour, which was really delicious.
Back up the enormous cobbled street, the ice cream was worked off. How steep is our street? "The montée du Gourguillon has a length of 400 meters with a climb of 53
meters, which represents a slope of just over 7.5° on average. The
street is wholly paved and has no sidewalk from its bottom to its
intersection with the montée des Épies and has at regular intervals
(every 10 meters) small steps over its entire length. The street is pedestrian but the residents can move and many cars are parked. Houses of the 15th
century with decorated mullioned windows with fantastic animals and
grotesques are still visible" It is also in a World Heritage area.
Looking out from our terrace, the view is spectacular. The spire of a church is lit up and looking glorious.

steps 8,546
kms walked - 6
toll 10.40 Euros