The col de Chamrousse (1795 m.) can be climbed by road bike from 3 sides. By far the hardest is the tiny but ueber steep route from Sechilienne.

We set off to tour around and enjoy the beautiful mountains but finally we just did a return to the Belle Etoile and it was not bad at all.We started at 7am.

The climb from Lancey is in the shade in the morning, at least as far as le Mas Julien. Afterwards it is pretty exposed but the road to the power station at the head of the valley has been resurfaced.

From the Bois de Batie car park follow the cycle trail to towards Chambery for 500m under the bridge.

Some late season snow meant that it was possible to tour from Chamrousse. I'd been skiing in resort a week before and it was surprising how much the snow had melted.

As part of a tour to the Petit Van I decided to take in the Via Ferrata couloir rather than ski the Lac Roberts ski slope.

From the Croix de Chamrousse (summit of ski runs) follow the ski slopes east to the entrance of the Casse Rousse couloir (black piste).

From the Recoin (Chamrousse 1650m) climb to the top of the ski pistes (Croix de Chamrousse). You can generally avoid most of the ski open ski runs. Descend the run to the lac Robert.

With temperatures hitting 26C today, in the valley, it almost seems like summer has arrived. However we're expecting snow at 1500 meters this weekend with a brutal drop in temperatures.

I'd heard conditions were very good at le Feclaz still on the trails and that the resort were preparing the trails up to the 12th April despite being officially closed.