The final day of our mini Swiss Alps cycling trip. We had driven from Gstaad to Villars yesterday – and had to take the long way as the Col de la Croix is still closed due to snow. But it was our cycling goal, so we decided to have a look from the Villars side. This is a giant climb (20 kilometres 1,370 metres ascent – about 4,500 feet). But today our goal was just a leisurely ride up the far more scenic top half starting in the ski resort of Villars. See this link for grade details of the…
Author: Will
Will
Happiest while cycling uphill.
This is cycling paradise with signed routes everywhere, perfectly surfaced roads up high, and scenery to die for.
The French Alps are savage and exciting. But the Swiss Alps always seem picture-postcard beautiful.
The 62nd Tour de Romandie started today. Romandie (Romandy) is the French region of Switzerland so the entire Tour is near me. Eric, Katy and I went to watch the prologue on the lake front of downtown Geneva.
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?
Barry and Martin patiently agreed to ride SLOWLY with me today. They even let several fat guys pass us. When a beautiful girl rode by it was almost too much for them – but they were loyal and slow.
I have had a niggling pain in my left gastrocnemius muscle (calf) for a few weeks, but it wasn’t getting worse or affecting my riding.
At least, until last week’s 5+ hour ride up Col du Sac – including pushing and hiking through snow. It left me limping.
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.