DescriptionFrom Omegna there is 420 meters of climbing over 6km giving an average grade of 7%. However the section from Germagno to the Alpe Colle is steeper, an average of 11% with ramps around 15%.

RouteNice little ride along the foothills of lake Orta to a monastry on top of a hill with lake views. The route passes through a few traditional Italian villages. There is a bar in Miasino.

Afternoon trip to recover my sunglasses left in a cafe in Orta. This gave me the opportunity to cycle around the headland of Orta then ride up to Armeno in the route I normally ride down.

It had been a while since I'd ridden to Quarna Sotto. The climb is a nice 8% gradient up a series of switchbacks on the flank of the mountain which I managed at around a VAM of 735m/h.

A little lunch ride with slightly uncertain weather. Climb to mont Cindre took 28m30 from the Ile de Barbe, a VAM of 621 for a 4.5% slope (although with quite a few ramps and flats). Not too bad.

They say to find your maximum heart rate you need to ride hard then go as hard as you can. Well nothing better than Mont Thou and the ramp in the village to do that.

Quite a long afternoon in the saddle with a ride from the lac du Bourget / Aix les Bains to Crolles in the Isere. I took a detour via the Curienne climb.

Tour on the flat. Took the Ch. de l'Empereur up. Some sections have suffered in the winter but beyond le Touvet it was good apart from a ford.

A quick spin after too much walking in Italy to turn my legs.

Felt ok riding out, made it to St Romain, at the base of the climb, around 12h50 (30 minutes into the ride) and thought I'd try a bit of climbing on the Route de Mont Thou despite not having recovered