Is Bi-Pedal Best?

*A steep slope begs the question. Is bi-pedal best?*

Orsières to Bourg St-Pierre

Via Francigena #10 of 20

Physics demands that when going up a steep hill you lean forward, especially if you have a pack on and don’t want to fall backwards, which I did. At one point the path became almost a 60 degree angle, somewhere between stairs and a ladder. I had leaned so far forward that with my knuckles grazing the ground it seemed best not to fight it and go full quadruped, gloves or no gloves.

I was much faster, no surprise, felt safer, makes sense, but the work required in my hamstrings and glutes was about half had I chosen to remain upright. Ha!

So, if you want a badonkadonk people pay good money to have installed, go ahead and stay upright. But if you want to be more efficient, alleviate concerns about falling backwards, slipping or tripping, or dislike your pounding heart extruding out your ears like an Archie McFee Squeeze Martin toy . . . then on steep inclines, honor your inner Gorilla.

Although the Spanish salutation of “Buen Camino,” which means have a good walk, isn’t used on this Pilgrimage, I am quite taken by the French greeting we’re all familiar with; bonjour. I don’t recall hearing this charming cadence while studying French in college, but here it is delivered in a lilting, sing-song voice, and is best about an octave higher than the normal speaking voice. Think Julia Childs. It does not apply, however, to bonsoir.

It seems my stride, or pace as it’s also called, has been stunted by altitude. We come to a ski lift which adds some credence to the thought. It’s been a long time since I’ve walked up a ski lift, but even going over the Pyrenees I don’t remember the sweat rolling so profusely down my back, which I mention to Sandy:

“You’re over hydrated.”

Tomorrow is the Great St-Bernard Pass, the high point of our trek, and the border between Switzerland and Italy.

See below for today’s photos and captions.