Minimum altitude: 229 meters
Distance: 37 km
Slope Aspect: North-West
Vertical Climbed: 973 meters (3,192 feet)
Vertical Descended: 966 meters
Rating: 3
I wanted to explore a couple of dead end backroads that I always ride by plus it was a way to break up the climb. First road went to Montgalmand - a local village for local people as I was informed after riding by the "interdit a tous vehicles" sign. Apparently the village dogs don't like cyclists, even a dog owner was attacked ! Second backroad to Vautravers which was friendlier with a kids party in the village. Then on to ride the notorious Col des Ayes - I have not ridden this way for 7 years as I'd mentally exhausted myself on the climb. 20 minutes to climb up, 3 minutes slower than my PB but to be honest I felt pretty beat yesterday and think I could still go under 20... but 3 minutes? Hard to find that really. The climb out of Theys is much harder than I remembered.
North wind, coldish. Okay in shorts / tshirt for the climb.