Author: Will

Why bring a gravel bike on a great paved climb? Because sometimes the real fun starts when the paved road ends. But if you only road bike keep reading: this post includes a very worthwhile climb for you. My simple route planning strategy: pull out a map of the Val d’Aosta region and look for a cluster of unfamous hairpins. I knew the road to Druges (1588 metres) was paved but I didn’t know the route beyond. So I rode some wider tires to maintain flexibility. But I am getting ahead of myself. Note the elevation profile in the map…

A beautiful loop in the Drôme department including a beautiful gorge, two main climbs/cols, as well as six more smaller cols passed along the way. Starting alongside the Drôme river, the route leaves the main plain and heads into the Gorges de la Roanne. I would follow the Roanne river for roughly half the route, but the early stretch, perhaps the first 15 kms, are the most fun. Riding through the gorge there are fun looking little side roads on both sides. I would take one of them as a quick there-back to Col de Pennes (1040 metres). This is…

Many of the most famous climbs in the Alps have days when they are closed to motor traffic, reserved solely for cyclists. Excellent. Here is a 2019 list of almost a hundred “Cols Reservés,” car-free days in France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria. I’d be grateful for any comments indicating other car-free events. Let’s be clear about these special days: 1) They are NOT cyclosportives or races. 2) For most, there is no need to register, and they are free. Show up, start whenever you want. 3) There is a mix of cyclists of all levels, ages, sizes. Most riding leisurely.…

This is a spectacular loop on scenic, quiet roads through the Vercors Massif. It crosses at least 11 cols (some you won’t even notice), and comes near several others but the feature climbs are Col de Rousset and Col de la Bataille. As I’ve mentioned many times, the Vercors massif is one of the most interesting yet overlooked cycling regions in the Alps. I’ve been putting together a cycling guide for the region and realised I’d never cycled one of its most interesting climbs: the south side of Col de Rousset. Until now. I started in Beaufort-sur-Gervanne climbing to Col…

Col de Pierre Carrée is the highest paved col in Haute Savoie. It’s kept open all winter to provide access to Flaine ski station. I like to ride it every spring as soon as the skiing has ended as it keeps the climb, especially the second half, very quiet. It’s a big climb (21 kms). As long as some of the Alpine giants – if not quite as steep. Note, the (too-steep looking) profile below shows the far side grade as well. The road continues over the col to Flaine itself. While Flaine is the end of the paved road,…

In two weeks Torgon will feature as a mountain-top finish in the Queen Stage of the 2019 Tour de Romandie. High above Aigle, I counted 25 hairpins on this 12.5 kilometre climb. Fun! A 3D video of the route: It’s not the steepest climb, a very steady 7% or so for most of the way. The road is good quality, and the hairpins just keep coming. There are plenty of great views with big mountains in every direction. Torgon is a small village supporting the little ski station above. In fact, it’s a gigantic ski domain as it links into…

Local knowledge is more important for interesting mountain bike routes than for road bike routes. And the internet is full of useful little local web sites detailing this knowledge. This brilliant mountain bike loop has been used as a local “rando” for three decades: “Les Balcons du Lac.” See here for the official site. The highlight is climbing Montagne de la Biolle and riding along the top ridge with occasional stunning views of Lac du Bourget – the deepest and largest (although only in summer) lake entirely in France. This 3D video illustrates the brilliance of the ride. Starting in…

One of the best paved climbs above Geneva in the Jura mountains. Always peaceful roads and at this time of year it was in fact officially closed to cars. It’s higher, more scenic, and infinitely quieter than its more famous neighbour Col de la Faucille. This is one of those climbs that is rideable well before it is officially open. So I usually visit the moment I see a local friend has ridden it on Strava. Yes, Strava has its uses. I forgot my camera so only phone photos. Thus I’ll keep the post short. A strange snow wall: See…

The west side of Col de la Croix Fry (1467 metres) is one of my favourite winter climbs (it’s kept open for the local ski stations). April is later than I usually visit, but there was still plenty of snow around. Croix Fry is a relatively well known road featuring in the Tour de France 5 times – as recently as 2018. But the best way to approach it is via the far less well known Col de Plan Bois (1299 metres). Col de Plan Bois is a steep and quiet road with fantastic views throughout. The top kilometre of…

Here’s a ride idea that works for anyone: Find a nearby sparsely populated forested region near you that you don’t know. Then map a route that avoids paved roads as much as possible. That was my plan here. This is a fairly challenging trail ride starting at the historic Pont de la Caille – it involves some pushing and visits 4 cols – including a couple that were probably the nearest cols to my home that I had yet to cycle . Woohoo. The 4 Cols are all labeled on the map: La Clef des Faux (727m), Col des Menulles…