DescriptionA long loop with a lot of vertical covering 4 cols. Starting at Ugine take the cycle path toward Annecy. After about 9km of false flat you cross a bridge over "la Chaise".

I thought it would be possible to cycle around the park, there is a cycle route marked (#5) but only for mountain bikes it would seem. I started out along the Canal de Jonage.

A real col du Verdun this weekend with a climb on the closed section. Absolutely no-one around and few cars. Climb is just steep enough on 42x24 but not too steep.

Pushed out to Limonest today and the closed Mont Verdun climb which I descended. A lot of cyclists on it enjoying the Sunday afternoon sun.

A trip into the Monts d'Or which I know quite well now up as far as Mont Cindre. Not easy on my 42x24 gear as some of the ramps are pretty steep. The countryside at the gates of the city.

Legs felt really tired but got better going up the hill. I thought about stopping at le Baure and should have listened to myself.

5 years since I'd climbed the 4S from the west side. 4 minutes off my PR for the climb but just a minute behind my 2016 times so could do better once the weather warms up a little.

The Cormet d'Arêches are how Grand Tour cols used to be: nasty, long and brutish and the cherry on the cake, the top 6 to 7km are unsurfaced.

I'd not road cycled since before the lockdown and it was hard. Far too many kilos to carry and no real zip up the hills. Had to use my x32 far too often on the climb.

The 4S (seigneurs) summit is a classic for road cyclists and MTBers in the area, short, sharp but quiet roads with a great view.