The climb was harder at the end than I remembered. In general it felt quite easy, not like I was really killing it. It took 32m44s for the complete climb with a VAM of over 900.

We took the bus from Crolles to les 7 Laux for 1 euro, bike included. Not bad value.

Relaxing the legs after the drive over from France. Managed not to miss the short cut turn back to Orta this time.

The Col du Rousset is just of the Freydieres climb but the lack of surface on the north side means it is rarely visited by bike. Just two other riders on Strava, both on MTBs.

Usual mix of steep Italian ramps and bad roads. The surfaced road ends just after Cassano so this is just a little tour of the foothills. The Orta backcountry is not overly interesting.

I hadn't been out on the bike for some time so took the opportunity of a dry day to ride into work then up the Venon climb.

I took a detour on the way home. It was very chilly with a north wind. The road works up to Revel seem to be over and I continued through St Jean le Vieux.

First time up this climb this year. It really catches the sun and I didn't fancy climbing it during the heatwave. Very slow too. I know I've not ridden much but my slowest time and over 10% off my PB.

After yesterday's Dauphine finish in terrible conditions I decided to tour the same roads towards the final climb. Quite a strong wind riding out north to the start of the climb.

With 355m of climbing the Col de Morêtel isn't that much of a challenge but is a welcome alternative to the main road and leads into the Belledonne back roads quite nicely.