a bit of exploration. Took a "short cut" Gozzano - through "mirkwood" - an unpaved forest road.

I've cycled around the lake of Orta before, in both directions. In my opinion the climb out of Omegna is the easiest even if it is sun exposed as the gradient is never severe.

Very hard today, ok once I got onto the Coiromonte hairpins although 5 min of my PB - 19m49s instead of 14m33 - 25% ! Although I blame 28mm rather than 25mm tires.

I'd intended to climb to Alpe Loccia but it was too hot and I'm not on form at the moment so cut my climb short by taking the Loreglia loop back to Omegna.

A little lunch ride to turn the legs, about 1h10 for the loop and 28 mins for the climb, a bit off my PB but I haven't ridden much this year and it felt sufficiently quick.

First time out on my rebuilt Spitfire where I didn't get a puncture but at the same time I didn't ride on any gravel.

First longish ride of the year, over 2 hours anyway. I benefited from a tail wind, which was nice and took in some lakes on the ride back.

Decided to go for a bit longer ride, only 44km mind, over 4 summits to do some climbing. A bit sluggish on the climbs to be honest - VAM of about 670m/h over 30 minutes.

This route has a couple of interesting pointsA lot of it is on cycle paths and relatively quiet roadsIt has a couple of fun climbs, fast descents mixed with a nice amount of flatThe section from Lyon

Bizarrely the motor race that blocked me last time I tried to ride the Signal de St Andre was on again this weekend. Luckily they were elsewhere on Friday but I was concerned I would be stopped again.