Col du Galibier

Now the mountains are getting really high. I'm crossing from the department of the Savoie to the department of the Hautes-Alpes (High Alps). Most Americans think of Italy or Austria or Switzerland when they think about the highest Alps. France has the tallest mountains, including the granddaddy of them all, Mont Blanc.

My fear of heights was really kicking in. It was hard for me to get to the edge of the roadway when opposing traffic was coming downhill. Of course, I didn't have to be on the edge of the roadway like the bicyclists. Road shoulders? They don't have those here.

There were three different photography companies set up at various corners, taking pictures of the bikes and cool cars. The problem is, I was too scared to lean over very far. I wonder if Photoshop has a solution for that. Also, it's a little hard to lean into the inside of a corner when a photographer's head and camera are about a foot from your bike as you pass.Read more