Author: Will

I am a huge fan of climbs to high alpine dams/lakes, and Lac d’Emosson is one of the best. I’ve cycled up a couple of different ways with a road bike – see below, but this route takes an alternate lower-half using a fabulous un-paved trail up through the Vallée du Trient. The route starts up a cliff road that can easily be seen from the Valley below – near Martigny. The first 10 kilometres are on a well surfaced, big road that – while quiet enough – definitely has a steady supply of cars. Initially it climbs up some…

Sunday was car-free, bike-only day on both side of Col de Joux Plane. Another fun, traffic-free ride up a famous col. It’s been one of the wettest summers I can remember. But the rain held off, and a usual it was a pleasure to cycle in the glorious silence of the mountains. See here for more upcoming car-free days in the Alps I took advantage of the closed roads and cycled slowly up and down both sides (map at bottom), enjoying the friendly ambience and free snacks at the summit. Col de Joux Plane can be combined into several great…

Val Vény is a valley on the edge of the Mont-Blanc massif to the south-west of Courmayeur. Surrounded by glaciers and big mountains, it’s a beautiful place to mountain bike. I started near Courmayeur, just below the Mont-Blanc tunnel. The entrance to the valley can be difficult to find. Just look for Val Vény signs – there is only one road in. The beginning is paved, and occasionally steep. But after several kilometres the road is closed to cars. Nice! It is paved for a while, then becomes a good quality gravel road. After a long, steep stretch, I reached…

Let’s get the hyperbole out of the way: This may be the most beautiful high Alps paved climb I have ever cycled. Seriously. 🙂 Colle del Nivolet is a gigantic climb in Piemonte, Italy in the heart of the Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso. It was built between 1953 and 1963 to service the two hydroelectric dams up high. The national park, along with the Vanoise National Park, (the connected French side of the highest mountains here), make up one of the largest protected natural areas in Europe. Apparently the wild ibix here migrate between the two parks. EDIT: Note, I…

Valgrisenche is a valley extending south-west from the main valley in Val d’Aosta, Italy. Typical of the many finger side valleys here, it has some long, straight, tough uphill stretches (that can be morale sapping), and a few fun hairpin stretches. The ride immediately climbs some great hairpins. The majority of this climb is paved and perfect for a road bike. I was riding a mountain bike just to explore the end of the valley — the gravel/offroad stretch is marked on the map below. It’s a wide road with not much traffic. There are a couple of tunnels but…

I had been looking forward to cycling to Tre Cime di Lavaredo for a long time. Sadly the weather was not great, but this ride — along with the amazing hike we did after — were both terrific. Starting in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Doreen followed me in the car to the first goal: Passo Tre Croci. It’s a pleasant, short climb surrounded by big Dolomites. A couple of 12% signs to keep me honest. After Passo Tre Croci is an easy stretch, and then a quick climb to the scenic Lago di Misurina. Note, the huge parking lot is pay -…

The last day of our Dolomites trip I decided to dash (pedal slowly) up the north side of Passo Giau before a long drive home. I’ve climbed the dreaded south side a couple of times as part of the Maratona dles Dolomites (I’ve included the profile for both sides below). But this was the first time climbing the stunning north side. The first 5+ kilometres from Cortina are on a slightly busy road as it is also the direct way to Corvara via Passo Falzarego. But the route then turns left for a much quieter and truly beautiful final 10…

After five fun days in Corvara, we were moving to Cortina. Doreen took the car, heading to a hike atop Passo Falzarego. Me? My last ride with the Boys from St. Etienne, we rode over Passo Campolongo and up an alternate (south) route to Passo Falzarego rather than the east route used in Sunday’s Maratona dles Dolomites (map below). This Falzarego climb is part of the medium 110 kilometre route of the Maratona dles Dolomites – basically a shortcut to Passo Falzarego eliminating the very challenging Passo Giau. The weather wasn’t great but it wasn’t pouring down either. It’s a…

The day after the Maratona dles Dolomites, Doreen and I took a closer look at Passo Sella and Passo Pordoi. We knew we didn’t have enough time to do a full Sella Ronda given the impending storms, so we picked a nice part of the loop. There is a map at the bottom, but this is mainly a photo post as I enjoyed playing photographer for my determined and brave wife: Cycle Route 2689567 – via Bikemap.net

After 4 years of failure, I was lucky enough to win an entry into the 2014 Maratona dles Dolomites. It’s easily the most beautiful and professionally run event I have ever entered (I rode it in 2009 too). The course is 138 kilometres, 7 main climbs including a loop of the Sella Ronda, and the very tough Passo Giau (all passes labeled on map at bottom). In total, roughly 4000 metres of ascent. I rode with my good friends: “The Boys from St. Etienne” – Philippe and Xavier. Breakfast at 4:30am, we left for the start at 5:30am before the…