31 July, 2024

A couple of years ago I rode a moderately hilly 50 mile circuit from Le Grand-Bornand over Col des Aravis and Col du Marais. I remember it was hot and I was a bit frazzled when I’d finished. Today’s Le Grand-Bornand ride may have been shorter but there was significantly more climbing and I was bordering on delirious by the time I got back.

It was a lovely route that I’d like to ride again. Particularly the first 14 miles down the D12 through Le Petit-Bornand-les-Glières to Bonnevile. Next time though I’ll be better prepared for what follows which is 5,200ft of climbing over 18 knackering miles – 3 of which were downhill. So happy the ride finished with a descent of Col de la Colombiere back down to Le Grand-Bornand.

I’ve since discovered that this ride loosely followed a local cycle route called Tour du Bargy. My route avoided the busy roads around Cluses though, but at the cost of riding up Col de Solaison from Thuet. Or at least half of it up to the hamlet of Brizen. I had absolutely no knowledge of this climb and the 10% gradient came as quite an unpleasant surprise.

Likewise, my first time up the northern side of the Colombiere from Scionzier was a bit of a surprise too. Longer and steeper than the other side. Certainly the final 7km of the climb from Le Reposoir. When I finally reached the top I was totally empty. I can’t remember the last time I felt so exhausted on a climb. Thankfully gravity was on hand to do all the work to get me back to Le Grand-Bornand. connect.garmin.com/activity/16637380401

30 July, 2024

Arrived at our hotel in Le Grand-Bornand at 2pm so plenty of time for a short ride up to Col de la Colombiere. About half way up there’s a small hamlet called Chinaillon where I couldn’t fail to notice a huge straw cyclist wearing a polka dot jersey. I discovered later that stage 7 of this years Tour de France Femmes finishes here so that cleared up that mystery. connect.garmin.com/activity/16630284289

29 July, 2024

First ride in France this summer was perhaps a bit ambitious considering how little I’ve ridden this year. My plan was to ride a circuit starting and finishing in Le Bourget-du-Lac over Col de l’Epine and Mont Chat – around 30 miles with 6,000ft of climbing

Both first time rides although I have ridden Mont Chat a couple of times before, from Le Bourget-du-Lac, but never from the west. And I did ride a Col de l’Epine on my ride from Bourg-d’Oisans to Le Grand-Bornand in 2013, but not this one.

Definately ambitious, however, I did have a bail-out-point 8 miles after Col de l’Epine which would avoid Mont Chat and take me over Col du Chat instead. Still 30 miles but with 1,500ft less climbing.

Col de l’Epine was surprisngly tough – 8km at an average of 8% with sections up to 13% – but it provided plenty of shade and offered some great views. I only sauntered up the climb and had plenty in reserve at the top but nevertheless I knew I didn’t have Mont Chat in my legs today.

After 30 minutes of descending and rolling roads I reached my bail-out-point and pushed on towards Col du Chat leaving the western ramp of Mont Chat for another day. I’ve ridden Col du Chat before and from Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu it’s not particularly challenging – 5.5km at an average of 5.5% and pretty much all in shade.

It’s only 4 miles from Col du Chat back to Le Bourget-du-Lac, all descending, and once you leave the shade of the forest the views looking out over Lac du Bourget are impressive. The lookout point where I took these photos is around 1,300ft above the lake, well worth stepping off the bike for. connect.garmin.com/activity/16618743014