My idea was to test an old bike against a new bike over the same circuit.Climb is 4.04 km over 355 vertical meters giving 8.8% with sections over 10%. 24m46s. Average HR 163bpm. VAM 859mDescent is 5.

Same as last year but in the reverse direction. I was looking for another pass but it doesn't seem that the road is surfaced. The weather has been unsettled and it didn't look good reaching Omegna.

Some stats to illustrate how much slower I am than last yearCol de la Poya 44m15 (39m06 last year)Marie de la Combe 25m31s (22m34 last year)Over 10% down. VAM around 750m/h at the moment.

I was trying to find a flatter path to the Tower of the Dogs but ended up doing a series of small but steep climbs. I missed the road and looped round via the Corenc town hall on the Ch.

Climb to the Col de la Poya is just under 7km at 7.7% for a VAM of 650 m/h. Not too quick but it seemed very steep.

A bit of drone filming on the climb. VAM of 735m/h including a short stop was not bad. First time on this climb for 2024.

Quite a hard ride as I've cycled every day. The climb to St Mury from Lancey was at a VAM of 710m. 452 meters at 8%. The second half, 24 minutes were in zone 3 with the VAM at 734.

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.