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.

Yes, the Dauphinée will climb Le Salève up the super steep route from Collonge-Sous-Salève just behind my house.

It is rated category one but features 4 kilometres averaging 12% - with a full kilometre averaging 13%. This is steep!

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.

At the turn, I told Eric it would be impossible to reach and totally covered in snow.

He gave me a half-smile. I knew we were going up.

The Vallée Verte South of Lake Geneva is a beautiful place to get some climbing in while the big Alps are closed. There are quiet, fairly steep climbs everywhere.

This morning it was raining, very windy, and cold. So I sat by the phone waiting for Keith to cancel.

But he is Scottish not Australian, so canceling never crossed his mind.

There is a Grande Randonnée (GR) hiking route along the top of La Vuache and someone had recently asked me if it was do-able by bike.

Today - with Eric and Jason - the idea was to find out.

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.

Unfortunately the snow was very soft up high and almost impossible to ride on.

So I ended up pushing for several kilometres. Nice hike though.