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    Col des Contrebandiers (Smugglers Pass)

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    By on French Alps
    Col des Contrebandiers Col des Contrebandiers Col du Pré Vernet Col des Contrabandiers

    I’m an idiot. Last week I put SPD pedals on my hybrid. Today, I arrived in Annecy and forgot cycling shoes. Oh well, it was a little uncomfortable, but I just used my hiking shoes on the pedals.

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    The cliffs of Mont Veyrier overlook Lake Annecy and the nearby Town. Starting beside the Lake, this route goes up through a beautiful, quiet forest road up the mountain.

    At the Col des Contrebandiers (smugglers pass), directly beside the sign is a hiking trail that goes up to the old Télépherique (Cable Car) platform and gives incredible views of the lake below – see photo above from the summer.

    On the descent, I turned up another quiet road to Col de Pré Vernet. Near the col is another tiny, road (so steep i walked part way up and ALL the way down) that leads to further trails that were snow covered).

    This route is possible by road bike but the last 3 kilometres are a pretty poor surface. Using a mountain bike allows further exploring near Pré Vernet


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    6 Comments

    1. stefan on

      there’s only one solution. hybrid bike -> hybrid pedals 😉

      i like reading your blog – hope i’ll ride some of your tours someday.

      Reply
    2. Will on

      Hi Stefan

      Danke

      You are correct. I must get these 🙂

      In fact my cycling friend Barry has exactly that. Pedals that clip on one side and “normal” on other side.

      Reply
    3. Philippe on

      Salut Will

      recently I have tried hybrids M324, and I’m not completly convinced; you never know which side you’re on at first, and that makes them less easy to clip; I have to try SPD with ‘cage’ (M647), I suspect it’s the best solution.

      bonne route.

      Reply
    4. Will on

      Salut Philippe

      Merci beaucoup pour votre aide.

      I will look at your suggestions

      En tout cas, it is best to wear the correct shoes! 🙂

      Cordialement

      Reply
    5. Scott on

      Hi, just a note to say what a nice site you have. I have been evaluating Mimbo theme on my other site http://www.muxton.com and have been looking around for nice examples of what can be done with it. Yours is one of the better ones I have found so far.

      PS. As a cyclist myself enjoy the content as well and will certainly make your site a regular visit !

      Reply

    6. Pingback: The Best Cycling Climbs from Lake Annecy

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