I'd wondered for a long time if it were possible to reach the Rocher Noire from the Pipay side of les 7 Laux. Normally you climb from the col du Barioz.

A small loop starting at Gieres, climbing to Uriage then taking a small but steep climb of some 350 meters at 10% after dog and cat home (SPA) with some steeper ramps in places.

Although I had a great day piste skiing at the start of the season at Chamrousse I'd not been back touring this year.

Freezing today I rode as far as the snow although the road was clear to the fort. Cold hands and feet on the climb but warmed up a bit on the descent. St Eynard is certainly steep at the end.

The forecast wasn't great for the weekend so I got up early to look out of the window. The clouds were starting to clear so I headed up to Prabert.

I've not really roller bladed since we left Paris 15 years ago but I've got a bad elbow so it seemed worth a try. Not too bad standing on the skates although it seems a long way off the ground.

Would the weather be ok, would it not? Finally we set off from Grenoble under drizzly skies but with the chance of sun. Arriving at resort, well at least you could see a few hundred meters.

A trip to the "communist" resort of les Karellis. We'd not been here before and so it was a bit of discovery.

Final nordic skiing session of the winter, probably. At least in resort. La Feclaz closed yesterday and I'd hoped things would still be okay for skiing today.

SN Chartrousin were planning on climbing to the summit of the Charmant Som. That meant the road would be pisted and in good condition.