19h30: I am currently in someone’s farm land setting up my tent. My legs are a little bit sore, I have to make something to eat but I finally started the trip ! So happy
During the morning, I cleaned and tidied our house in Serre Chevalier, then did some last errands, which took longer than expected and after getting the bike ready, I finally left at 16h00.
The first few kilometers were so euphoric, but when the uphill section started, “sport mode” started so I stopped smiling. Getting all the way to the Col de l’échelle was a challenge, the last 3 km are 8% uphill, this means I am gaining 80m in altitude for every kilometers.
The euphoria then came back going down and crossing the Italian border. Right before reaching Bardonecchia, I managed to set my tent between bushes, on flat piece of grass.
It is now 21h42, I am alone in the dark, about to go to bed, but it is hard to feel safe, I tried to make the tent cozier. But I guess we will see how the night went tomorrow morning.
Italian words I have to learn quick:
Please – Per favore – Pehr fah-voh-reh
Thank you – Grazie – Grah-tsee-eh
You’re welcome – Prego – Preh-goh
Excuse me (for attention) – Scusi – Skooh–zee
Hi / Bye (informal) – Ciao! – Chow