Cycling Challenge - Cycling the French Alps

• Col de la Joux Verte Col de Bassachaux

  The plan was to cycle up Col de la Joux Verte. I knew the road was still closed, but it's been so warm we thought with mountain bikes that we'd be OK. Posted May 14 2008, 02:30 PM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: biking, Cycling, France, alps, climbs, corbier, bassachaux, morzine

• Doreen Runs the Berne Grand Prix

  That's Doreen, my wife, running the Berne Grand Prix. It's called "The most beautiful 10 miles in the world!" Posted May 10 2008, 04:38 PM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, Doreen, berne, running

• Funny Video: ” Kid In Bike Race”

  A Very Funny Video. Click more to view Posted May 08 2008, 06:21 PM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, Tour de France, youtube, ad

• Le Semnoz

  High above Lake Annecy - It's a magnificent and tough climb - and frankly today I suffered near the top. I am not yet fit or light enough for the July Tour d'Enfer. But at least the injury seems almost OK. Posted May 08 2008, 11:59 AM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, France, alps, annecy, leschaux, semnoz

• Col de Pierre Carrée (Flaine)

  Col de Pierre Carrée is a big climb and easily the highest pass in my vicinity that is currently clear of snow. 21.4 kilometres (~13 miles) and 1350 metres (~4500 feet) of climb It starts just a few kms from the Col de la Colombière - but unlike it’s more famous (but [...] Posted May 06 2008, 09:37 AM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, France, alps, "col de pierre carrée", flaine

• Col de la Croix - Snow!

  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 [...] Posted May 03 2008, 10:54 AM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, alps, switzerland, col de la croix, villars

• Turbach, Above, and Lauenensee

  This is cycling paradise with signed routes everywhere, perfectly surfaced roads up high, and scenery to die for. Posted May 02 2008, 09:10 AM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: biking, Cycling, alps, switzerland, Juras, gstaad, lauenen, turbach

• Gstaad, Col du Pillon, and Above

  The French Alps are savage and exciting. But the Swiss Alps always seem picture-postcard beautiful. Posted May 01 2008, 10:51 AM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, alps, switzerland, gstaad, col du pillon

• Watching the Tour de Romandie Prologue Live

  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. Posted Apr 29 2008, 05:03 PM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, alps, switzerland, geneva, "tour de romandie", romandy

• The 2008 Dauphinée Libéré Gets Steep!

  Yes, the Dauphinée will climb Le Salève up the super steep route from Collonge-Sous-Salève. It is rated category one but features 4 kilometres averaging 12% - with a full kilometre averaging 13%. This is steep! Posted Apr 28 2008, 05:26 PM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, France, geneva, saleve, "dauphinee libere", geneve

• Cycling the Routes des Grandes Alpes - The 2008 Tour d’Enfer

  Are you looking for a challenging cycle touring route in the Alps that visits some of the most famous Tour de France climbs? The Route des Grandes Alpes starts on the shores of Lake Geneva and crosses 16 of the highest French passes continuing all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Over 700 kilometres (+400 miles) and almost 15,700 metres (51,500 feet) of vertical climb. Posted Apr 18 2008, 05:34 AM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, France, alps, Touring, "routes des grandes alpes", Tour de France

• Back From Injury

  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. Posted Apr 13 2008, 09:04 AM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, injury

• Cycle Touring the Alps - Frequently Asked Questions

  I receive a few emails each week asking question about cycling in the Alps. To save some effort, I thought I'd put some of the more frequently asked questions / answers here. Posted Apr 01 2008, 08:26 AM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, alps, Touring, alpe d'huez, Ventoux, cyclotourism

• Injured

  I have had a niggling pain in my left gastrocnemius muscle (calf) for a few weeks, but it wasn't getting worse and 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. Posted Mar 29 2008, 01:52 PM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, injured

• Col du Sac is Open?

  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. Posted Mar 20 2008, 12:41 PM by Cycling Challenge » Cycling the French Alps Filed under: Cycling, France, Juras, col du sac, tiocan