The aim was to do 1000m of V+. Promise made, promise kept, as politicians like to boast. Although in my case it really was kept. 3 climbs of 300 meters plus 100 extra meters at the end.

To vary things a bit I took a new road over the Croix Rousse / Calluire et Cuire: the Montee du Petit Versailles, actually I thought it was the Montee de la Soeur Vially but I was on the wrong road.

Quick run following the epic Col d'Areches last week. Must better times on the climb with a VAM around 700m/h - difficult for me to do better as the gradient is very uneven.

It had been raining all day but finally it stopped in the late afternoon.

I swam a bit at La Mama Beach in some very pleasant water before a 10 ride back to pick up my car from where I'd left it in Villeurbanne. 3000 m V+ for the month now.

A quick trip to Mt Cindre but difficult to find any V+ around Lyon without a lot of riding. I'd been to the Wallace pub for a late breakfast but only had a pint of their weakest beer - the IPA.

Went via the Church, which was a bit unusual as it is very very steep but I'd forgotten the correct turn, anyway it was shorter. Climb took 56m29 for a VAM of 822, which seems ok.

Have to watch the timings now as it is getting dark by 20h30 although not too bad in the city with the neon lights so pretty.Ride up to Mont Thou by the route du Genie.

Reverse of my previous trip. This time climbing by the easier route but with the poor road surface. It really is much easier this way with just a couple of short ramps to conquer.

A day of flatter riding with a classic tour of lake Orta from Pettenasco with a little detour to check out the fish ponds of Laghetti di Nonnio. The road up to the ponds has a few steep ramps.