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.

The route for the 2008 Paris-Nice was unveiled today.

Stage 4 will climb Mont Ventoux on the lessor known Malaucene side - but will only go as far as Mont Serein Ski Station.

Riding through Hotonnes we noticed a great old “penny-farthing” bike on display.

I bumped into a Chamoix - sort of a deer. Note the perfectly heart-shaped bum. Happy Valentine’s day.

OK,
I have a new toy. Here is my second attempt at a Video of yesterday’s ride.

Now this is an amazing route!

A couple of kilometres from Thones is a turn up a very steep, quiet road to the little-known Col de Plan Bois (not in my cycling bible).