For much of the winter Geneva is under dark, depressing cloud cover.

But often it’s just a question of getting above the clouds for sunny weather and great alps views.

This loop climbed Le Salève from the Annemasse side. Probably the second hardest of the 4 ways up (from Le Coin being the steepest). To maximize our time above the clouds we rode along the entire ridge of Le Salève descending at Saint Blaise.

Above the Clouds

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Any second now Col du Galibier will be closed for 7 or 8 months.

An alpine heat wave and Eric noticed that Galibier was still open up until the tunnel and just perhaps we could get higher. So why not?

A perfect day on the biggest climb in France – top to bottom – more than 2000 metres uphill – including Col du Télégraphe. 35 kms long (including a 4km descent) starting in St-Michel-de-Maurienne.

Paradise on a bike:

The Col in sight:

Yep, pretty pleased:

As always, thanks to my much stronger cycling partner Eric for taking some great pics.

Col du Galibier is Closed?

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Not the hardest ride (or easiest) …. but almost the entire route is above 1000 metres and it is beautiful.

A couple beers too many last night meant I struggled, but luckily Martin wasn’t in a hurry. Geneva was cloud covered all day, and we endlessly congratulated ourselves on getting above/away from the clouds and into the sunny mountains.

There are a few ways to make this route harder or longer, for example starting down in Aigle or detouring to Col de la Croix. But the mapped loop is superb and has two very interesting medium climbs.

Enough said: A few photos:

Col du Pillon, Col des Mosses Loop

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If you don’t like super steep, scenic climbs …. look away. I rode this very slowly but very happily.

First, a big thanks to Nicholas for kindly suggesting this route to me the other day in a comment. Much appreciated.

The climb starts in Villeneuve at the tip of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) but quickly leaves civilization as the road enters a narrowish mountain valley and goes up.

The route to Col de Chaude is steep — and completely deserted. There are no towns, villages, etc. on this 13 km climb (@10% average!) – barely a chalet or two. And so beautiful.

Nearing the top, we ran into ice and snow. Woohoo, winter is coming.

Sadly no Col sign at top …. and my 5 layers seems to add a few pounds.

The road linking Col de Chaude and Col de Jaman has 2 kms averaging 11% (!) and unbelievable views of the Lake:

We joined the Col de Jaman route much of the way up, but still plenty of work to do. No pics, but some beautiful ridge stretches through mountain woods.

The top:

By the time we reached Col de Jaman I was exhausted, but there was still a tiny bit of climbing as we detoured to visit Col de Sonloup part way down – I was cooked and glad that the uphill was over.

The mapped descent is fabulous. Winding, deserted, scenic, etc.

All in all one of the best rides of the year.

Col de Chaude and Col de Jaman (steep!)

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When the cold north Bise wind blows, it can be cold but also very clear.

Today’s goal was to get as quickly as possible (on scenic roads) from Geneva to the Cols that lead into the beautiful Vallée Verte.

And then enjoy some nice climbing on three interesting and extremely quiet roads. Lots of views of Lac Léman to the north and snowy mountains to the south.

It had been too long since Martin and I had ridden together, and cycling this fairly challenging route in Eric’s wake was a great way to catch up.

PS – Thanks to Katy and Eric for a great post ride meal!

PPS – For more Vallée Verte rides see the “related posts” below.

Vallée Verte: Cols Moises, Arces, and Feu

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The plan was to climb the steep and beautiful road from Aigle to Lac de l’Hongrin, proceed to Col des Mosses and loop back via Leysin.

The ride starts climbing at Yvorne through beautiful vineyards (can you spot me in a balaclava?):

We managed to get to the high-point of the ride (1565 metres) — but approaching the Lake, the road was closed due to a Swiss army live ammunition exercise.

Still, the climb itself was fantastic — roughly 13 kms @ 9%. In parts, extremely steep even +20% and well above 10% for much of the way. Nearing the high point is a long, but well lit tunnel (video above). Yikes.

Winter is approaching and it’s getting cold and occasionally icy up high. And long descents require full winter clothing – double gloved, balalava, arm warmers and 5 layers did the job for me.

Whereas Eric froze and we decided that he needs to fatten up a little if he is going to survive a winter of cycling.

Thwarted: Above Lac de l’Hongrin

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A great loop in the beautiful Vercors Massif. Four Cols, two typically stunning Vercors gorges, and a terrifying tunnel.

I hate tunnels – and Eric had told me about this particularly nasty one. But the route seemed so enticing that I somehow found the courage to at least have a look. Several signs warn that cyclists must have a light — I had a tiny thing in my pocket ready to wave at oncoming cars – while screaming and hugging the wall.

The route starts by cimbing into the Gorges des Ecouges. It was about 7 or 8 kms to the tunnel and I was nervous and enjoyed this lovely climb less than I should have. It leads into huge cliffs and waterfalls (2nd photo above) and I started to understand why a tunnel might be required.

A few minutes before the tunnel a motorcyle passed me and offered to lead me through – an answer to my prayers! I picked up the pace and going uphill through this dark monstrosity – with my moto support behind – I hit my max heart rate for the year.

Important tip (for next time): If you are planning a loop that passes through a long dark tunnel, try and do it downhill – it ends faster.

After the tunnel, my spirits were sky high – and I flew up the straight stretch to Col de Romeyère.

The next part of the route was designed to Climb Col du Mont Noir via Col de Pra l’Etang (also spelled Prélétang).

Most of this is single lane (occasionally bumpy) forestry roads. I passed some sort of French army manoeuvre. I think I saw the HQ of one side, and then saw quite a few advancing guys hiding behind trees. Luckily they all ignored me.

Mont Noir is so named due to all the fires that locals used to light trying to chase/kill wolves – apparently a couple of the fires got out of hand.

From the Col du Mont Noir is an amazing descent that passes through the Gorges du Nan. Wow, I stopped to take a couple of photos and was noticeably shaky on my feet looking off the cliff road. The descent also goes by the Pas (pass) de Pré Coquet and a large French resistance memorial (ubiquitous in the Vercors) – photos above.

This great route is definitely worth doing in the opposite direction – climbing through the Gorges du Nan and – importantly – descending through the nasty tunnel (but remember to bring some moto support).

Vercors Col Hunting – and a scary tunnel!

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The road up to Col du Cenise is not only quiet and beautiful – it is one of the very steepest climbs I know.

Don’t confuse this climb with Col du Mont Cenis further south on the Italian border – details here

Starting in St-Pierre-en-Faucigny, I skipped the busier main road through the Gorges du Borne, taking a great steep little road at the entrance to the gorge that rides for 4kms beside and above the main road – see map below.

This then rejoins the main road as I approached Le Petit Bornand – the start of the main climb to Col du cenise. I love this route. Endless steep hairpins, amazing views, and it just keeps getting harder.

At about 1550 metres, the road becomes gravel. This just makes the steep parts even harder (my GPS mentions +20% a couple of times).

At the top, it opens up to huge open fields surrounded by high mountains. Over the top is a bumpy farm road for a couple of kms that then becomes paved.

I’d never been on this side and it’s beautiful. Lots of cows, mountains, and a winding road.

At Mont Saxonnex I took the descent through the amazing Gorges du Bronze (this is a steep and beautiful climb in the other direction).

Finally, I turned back up again for 4.5 kms @10% as I returned to St-Pierre via the Plateau d’Andey – another scenic deserted route.

Tired!

Up and Over Col du Cenise

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A near perfect day (apart from bonking) Col hunting around the Mountain des Vorès above Col des Saisies.

Eric and I started in Megève and after a few kms started up towards Col des Saisies. We skipped the classic Route des Grandes Alpes road (218b) taking a quieter and slightly more scenic way up via Crest-Voland. It’s a challenging enough climb, but not the main purpose of today’s ride.

Upon reaching Saisies, we headed up 1.5 kms to Col de la Lezette, and then followed a wonderful gravel road up a mountain ridge in the direction of Mont Blanc.

After Lezette, there were four more Cols (see below) – with the Col de Véry being the main target @ 1962m. The road is not very steep and in good condition – and the views are just superb.

From Véry we took a farm road down towards Belleville. This route is occasionally very STEEP, and treacherous, but rideable. I walked in a couple of places – but Eric managed to descend the whole route.

Below can you see Eric and Barrage de la Girotte?

We had been debating whether to ride up to the Barrage de la Girotte, but I was getting tired and proceeded to bonk as we climbed back up Col des Saisies again to return to Megève (it can be hard finding water or anything open here in October)!

Still, an amazing ride that I’ll certainly do again – especially since we missed Col de Basse Combe a little left of Véry.

The final Col Count:

1. Col des Saisies – 1650m (via Crest)
2. Col de la Lezette – 1785m
3. Col de la Legette – 1776m (descended)
4. Col de la Péchette – 1948m (no sign)
5. Col de Véry – 1962m
6. Col Croix de Pierre – 1970m
7. Col des Saisies – 1650 (via Hauteluce)

PS – I bring my own Col signs now ….

Le Beaufortain – Col Hunting

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My mom is visiting from Canada.

So I dropped her off at the market in the quaint ski-station village of La Clusaz ….. and snuck off for a quick ride.

Col des Confins is a scenic 5.4 km climb above La Clusaz. Near the Col, the Lac de Confins was looking a little empty and muddy, but there is superb hiking from here and views of the Aravis alps. There is also a beautiful dead-end valley over the other side that may need investigating on a mountain bike.

After descending back to La Clusaz, I took the road towards Col des Aravis but turned off and cycled the easy side of Col de la Croix Fry. (For details of the superb harder side – see here).

A quick descent back to La Clusaz and then we went for a nice outdoor lunch at Col des Aravis:

Col des Confins & Col de la Croix Fry

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