8/14 To the col

The air in the mountain is very comfortable. Of course sea side is also comfortable, but the air in the mountain is shining and clear and fresh, the view is sharp and high contrast.
I don't leave early also today. Although I didn't get up late, I ate breakfast slowly, wrote a diary, and relaxed. I left at 11:00 after all. It's loose life.

The Nanami Shiono "Roman's tale", The story I read now, is the Hannibal appearance still more.
Then, I know that;

• He is truly strong general. He could win very easily, like Chineese Kung-Ming's talk.
• He started from Spain. I thought he went around Marseilles by ship, since he was the general of Africa. Actually neither Marseilles nor Nice has relationship with him.
• Elephants were dealed with strong wepon like tank, but actually they attacked their side with confusion at every war.

That book said;
"Hannibal performed that adventure not for applause after 2000 years. it is impossible to make adventure only because he likes adventure. So we have a question why he choose that way and forced to cross over the Alps."
For Hannibal, passing the Alps was only way to Rome according to the author. But how about my case? Fortunately I have no duty to fight against Rome, and unfortunately no one will applaud to me, even if I want applause.
No one gives order to me, no need to cross over. It seems that the reason is simply I want to do that. It is my own will or whim. But I didn't think I become a guy who cross over the Alps by bicycle when I was kid.

There are some opinions which pass Hannibal crossed over. And the pass I shall cross over is "Col Agnel" on the border between Italy and France. I have some reason to choose this pass.

• The driveway passes and it does not have any tunnels.
  Since my mountain bike has heavy loads, I can go only a pavement road. The pass crossed in a tunnel must be boring and fearful, or impossible.
• There are beautiful mountains.
  A 3841m mountain called Mont Viso is in near. It will surely be beautiful.
• It is not far north.
  At first, I planned to go to Switzerland, but it would take long time.

The driveway passing through between France-Italy is not laid so many. So I have a few choices.

Then I start for col Agnel.
Passing along many tiny villages in the mountain. I am climbing The Alps. Basically always climbing up. Of course it is hard, but easier than I thought. The road is not too steep, since the mountain is very big. There are more steep roads in a town along sea side relatively.
The weather is fine and the sky is deep blue. This sky blue is close to black. I am climbing with looking around scenic view, saying Hello to road racer climbing down, washing my face in a clear stream.
Today's start point is altitude of about 900m, so it's OK if I can reach the hut which stands near the col, altitude of 2500m. I can climb the height of 300m or 400m a hour by bicycle, so it will take 4 or 5 hours to cycle to the hut. I can not omit or be relieved. Looking altitude meter, and know I am going to high. It relaxes me a little. <

I arrive the hut at 19:00. Now the col is in the neighborhood. I can reach the top. The hut is standing the side of driveway. Basically same atmosphere as a hut in Japan. It is quiet and clean. After registration, the dinner is starting. On the dinner table, a Japanese cyclist is talking with German guy. Here is border between France and Italy.
The star is so beautiful.

(2004 8/14)