Friday 2016/09/09

Camping Gran Bosco – Jausiers

In the morning I do the planning for the day having coffee and brioche in the bar of the camping. I have read from the road across the Col du Parpaillon, at the top of which there's a tunnel, about 500 meters long. I read about some motorcyclists who had made this crossing in springtime and had to cross ice in the tunnel. Well, I hope this is not necessary at this time of the year.

My route first leads me to Briançon, where I walk through the old town, but without going inside the fortress, which is sitting on top of the town. It is still quiet here and not crowded in the morning.

But soon I continue into the direction of Col d'izoard. Again a very nice pass to cross.

In Guillestre when I want to put my bike on the main stand at the gas pump of an Intermarché, it falls into the directoin of the gas pump. Apparently some unevenness on the ground. Alone, I wouldn't get the bike up again, because I can't get in between gas pump and the bike. Fortunately, two Frenchmen are hurrying to help me out of the mess without hesitation and together it's no problem. The two guys are immediately going away, so I do not even get time to thank them. First I fuel up my bike to get my pulse down again. Nothing seems to be broken. When continuing the ride, the ABS light flashes. Not good! Stop again, ignition off and restart the bike. The problem 's gone. Ufff. In the evening I notice that my right side pannier now has also some scratches. Probably it will not be waterproof anymore. Hmmh, I'll have to take care of it later. Fortunately the bike will not fall again for the whole journey any more.

Further on the road to the Col du Parpaillon is getting very nice with beautiful views and turning into a gravel road. After yesterday I have great desire to ride on gravel roads. The route up to the tunnel is very scenic. I can see marmots and I'm enjoying the views. The road is not difficult to ride. There are no difficult parts. Up in front of the tunnel I meet a Swiss guy with his old Africa Twin, whom I have seen during the day already. He kindly takes a few photos of me in front of the tunnel. He tells me that he has been touring around this area with the same bike 20 years ago. He still has a long way to go back to the hotel and so we're continuing quickly our rides. Through the dark tunnel you have to pay attention to the ground. There are a few puddles and some damp spots, but not a real problem. 

Also the road on the other side of the tunnel (south-west) is a epic. There are only a few motorcyclists and 4WD vehicles on the road. 

A rain cloud is in the sky nearby all the time and actually it starts to rain just before the gravel road ends, so I have to pull over the second layer of my suit. Fortunately, the rain stopped again in the valley. In search of a campsite I come to Jausiers, where I find a camping not listed on my navigation system. The Camping Le Planet looks fine to me. The operator is very nice and she speaks some English, so the communication works. Here I stay for the night. 

In the village of Jausiers I have dinner. Unfortunately the Spaghetti Bolognese are by far not as good as at home! But you can not have it all!