Punctures, famous cheese and a dam big hill

Left Albertville slightly later than planned, after impressing myself for a second time with my mechanical mastery by fitting the back brakes too. Set off up the hill towards Beaufort and then the Cormet de Roselend, despite the protestations of a german cyclist who was adamant I should go 'zee eazie vay'. At 1968m and a 19k climb, Cormet de Roselend is the biggest col to date.

Beaufort was a pretty town, and I only realised afterwards about its claim on the best Gruyere cheese in the world. Dam. Just as I had polished off my pizza and Oringina, I saw my back tyre looking pretty sorry for itself. Bugger. Half an hour later, patched up, I set off for the Cormet.

Stunning ride through the mountain roads. 3 Germans on road bikes crept past, all out of the saddle, with 16k to go. When the mountain downpour kicked in and I passed them hunkering under a tree, I pushed on, hoping that my tortoise approach might get me to the top first. It didn't, unsurprisingly as they cruised by several Ks later. Passed the stunning lac de Roselend, and then drew up alongside a kiwi, Chris and his Swedish fiancé, Linda with about 3k to go. Chatted most of the way to the top. Once summited we flew down to Bourg St Maurice, a 20k descent mixing great stretches of road with endless hairpins, and then on for a few Ks to the small village is Seez where we camped up.

They took pity on the bearded brit, and invited me over for dinner. Dam good it was too, finished off with the famous Beaufort Gruyere cheese. Great to share traveling stories and hear about other peoples' adventures. They left Paris 10 days ago, and are en route to Istanbul, on a ten week trip. Rock and roll. Safe travels folks.

Seez is the nearest campsite to Sainte Foy where I meet up with the Piste to Plage crew, so I'm going to rest up here for a few days.

Having said that, the 2750m Col d'Iseran is very near....