High above Lake Annecy - It’s a magnificent and tough climb - and frankly today I suffered near the top.

I am not yet fit or light enough for the July Tour d’Enfer. But at least the injury seems almost OK.

Col de Pierre Carrée is a big climb and easily the highest pass in my vicinity that is currently clear of snow.

The final day of our mini Swiss Alps cycling trip.
We had driven from Gstaad to Villars yesterday - and had to take the long way as the Col de la Croix is still closed due to snow.
But it was our cycling goal, so we decided to have a look from […]

This is cycling paradise with signed routes everywhere, perfectly surfaced roads up high, and scenery to die for.

The French Alps are savage and exciting. But the Swiss Alps always seem picture-postcard beautiful.

The 62nd Tour de Romandie started today. Romandie (Romandy) is the French region of Switzerland so the entire Tour is near me. Eric, Katy and I went to watch the prologue on the lake front of downtown Geneva.

Are you looking for a challenging cycle touring route in the Alps that visits some of the most famous Tour de France climbs?

The Route des Grandes Alpes starts on the shores of Lake Geneva and crosses 16 of the highest French passes continuing all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Over 700 kilometres (+400 miles) and almost 15,700 metres (51,500 feet) of vertical climb.

I receive a few emails each week asking questions about cycling in the Alps.

To save some effort, I thought I’d put some of the more frequently asked questions / answers here.

Stage 6 will see the Tour d’Enfer climb the mythic Col d’Izoard. Perhaps most famous for the exploits of Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet.

There may not be a better base in the French Alps for cycling than Barcelonnette.

It is literally surrounded by mountains looking to be climbed.