Today I climbed the "Classic" Col du Joly.

Woohooo! I cross the finish line at today's Tour of Switzerland well before the pros - my first stage victory! :)

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.

This is cycling paradise with signed routes everywhere, perfectly surfaced roads up high, and scenery to die for.

There may not be a better base in the French Alps for cycling than Barcelonnette. It is literally surrounded by mountains looking to be climbed.

OK, I have a new toy. Here is my second attempt at a Video of yesterday’s ride. Post from: Cycling Challenge Related PostsCol de la Croix Fry via Col de Plan BoisCol des Glieres - West SideAlpe d’Huez - Five Different Rides

Now this is an amazing route! A couple of kilometres from Thones is a turn up a very steep, quiet road to the little-known Col de Plan Bois (not in my cycling bible).

No matter how much you cycle in the Alps, there are always new climbs to explore. Today’s ride took me past 5 Cols, only one of which i knew (and four that were not in my cycling bible). Today was a good example of a [...]

That funny white thing with wings is a giant monument to the French Resistance. Glieres was a major base in WW2 for the Maquis.