Late afternoon ride out into the Monts d'Or above Lyon, rolling out just after 17:00 in warm, almost perfect conditions.

I set out with a simple plan: climb up and drop into Yzeron via Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux, then link the small cols before heading back toward Lyon.

Although I cycle every day I'd not been out for a longer ride for a month due to skiing but the weather was spring like today so I decided to get in a short tour after doing some admin chores.

No snow for cross country so a little cycle ride to blow out the work cob webs.

I currently have a my winter bike - an 8 sp Giant, a bit heavy at 14kg. I don't really understand how it is so heavy really. Clearly aluminium frames are not that light.

A very cold ride to run in my change of tires from some commuter stuff to Michelin Lithion 4s.

I left a little late, but I wanted to try out the new bike path between Crolles and Tencin.

Trying to make 50K meters for the year but still 1000 meters short and weather has been a bit chill for getting out.

After a failed outing yesterday. Every time we gained a little altitude leaving Lyon, we ran into blizzards of snow, but today the weather was clear, sunny, and cold. Very cold, with a breeze.

It has been quite a while since I've done over 100km. Lack of time. Lack of motivation. Concerns about form. Excuses, excuses.