Minimum altitude: 182 meters
Distance: 18.4 km
Slope Aspect: South
Vertical Climbed: 505 meters (1,657 feet)
Vertical Descended: 503 meters
Rating: 3
I really didn't fancy going out, it has been grey and cold for days but at least it wasn't raining. Thankful for small mercys. In the end I decided to climb Chantemerle, an uber steep back passage to the Col de Vence. First problem is the route de Chartreuse is blocked at Corenc, even for bikes, I'd hoped to climb by the Veuve Noir (black widow) but had to detour around to the Rondeau, which is a ball-bustingly steep climb. At the top I picked up Chantemerle which prolongs the agony for another 3km. Did I say it was cold? Well I actually regreted being in shorts at the top of the climb and put my wind breaker on for the descent via Rochason. Glad I had my full fingered gloves for the ride.
Dry, overcast, coldish breeze from the NW. 8C !!! Cold.