Superb 22 kilometre mountian bike climb to Col du Jovet – 2404 metres – from Bozel. Quiet, high, and beautiful.
Author: Will
Will
Happiest while cycling uphill.
Colle di Sampeyere is the 12th highest paved road in Italy (2284 metres). I have cycled it once before from Sampeyere – see here. But the goal today was to reach the Col via an old unpaved military road. This great route passes (at least) 7 mountain passes and the Rifugio di Valmala – all labeled on the map. Cycle Route 3273572 – via Bikemap.net The Strada dei Cannoni was originally built in 1744 by the Kingdom of Sardinia while fighting the French and Spanish. It was significantly improved and repaired in the 1930’s. Unfortunately, it was overcast and I…
Travelling in Italy with my (very supportive) wife gave me the unique opportunity to ride the first 22 paved kilometres of this huge 35 kilometre climb with a road bike, then switch to a mountain bike for the real fun – ultimately climbing to above 2500 metres. The Cogne Valley is one of many interesting side “finger” valleys of the Val d’Aosta region in the Italian Alps near Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco). From Aymavilles far below, it’s a 22 kilometre climb to Lillaz (1617 metres), the end of the main road (3 flattish kilometres above Cogne). Then a little-known, slightly…
Cycle Route 3260667 – via Bikemap.net I sometimes tell friends that I have retired from cyclo-sportives. Mainly because I am a terrible descender – and I dislike going downhill quickly and/or in a crowd. But a UK friend – also named Will – was entered and I happily agreed to meet him. I have ridden this event three times previously but not for several years. So I confidently arrived at the usual start site only to find it deserted. Oops. I had absolutely no clue where to search, so after driving around lost I briefly panicked. But I figured out…
Cycling from Col Bayard up the steep and scenic Col de Gleize. And further on unpaved forest trails.
A challenging but beautiful mountain bike climb to Col du Joly with great views of Mont Blanc.
Le Cycle magazine calls Mont Colombis one of the most difficult climbs greater than 10 kilometres in France. It is in the same league of difficulty as Grand Colombier, Relais du Mont du Chat, and Col du Granon.
Two beautiful, quiet cycling climbs in the Hautes Alpes. I’ll need to return when there is less fog so I can enjoy the famous views from Notre Dame de la Salette. Map, photos, etc.
A super fun 20 kilometre cycling climb to Lac de Mauvoisin. Then 14 kilometres deeper into the Alps on a mountain bike. Map, photos, etc.
Cycling to the Glacier de Mont-de-Lans and Col du Jandri. The second highest road – paved or unpaved – in Europe. Map, photos, etc.