I've cycled around the lake of Orta before, in both directions. In my opinion the climb out of Omegna is the easiest even if it is sun exposed as the gradient is never severe.

First time out on my rebuilt Spitfire where I didn't get a puncture but at the same time I didn't ride on any gravel.

I've filed this under mountain biking but I was on a road bike with 28mm tires. A bit of gravel in the valley then a longish climb on gravel. This was more or less ok.

Return to St Hilaire du Touvet for a few runs after it had been shut for a couple of years due to lack of snowLargely seemed to be locals up on the plateau des Petites Roches.

Got up early - 9.15 to get a space at the trailhead car park. There is only room for half a dozen cars. Already some people skiing when I arrived.

First ski tour of the new season. I took nordic skis. Roads were clear of snow to 1350 meters and the FL was around about this altitude according to the car thermometer.

DescriptionFrom the Pucelles loop on the RD106, take the Sentier de la Vie towards Trou Poussebou then Bois de Poussebou (yellow and green markings).

The bike path from Tencin has been extended all the way to Pontcharra over the summer so I decided to check it out, at least as far as Le Cheylas reservoir, Pontcharra is just a bit beyond.

I wanted to retry this route but in the direction I originally planned via the Col de la Croix de Ban -> Col de Luere -> Col de Malval -> Col de Pars -> Châteauvieux.

The Crêt de l'oeillon is a bit like le Mont Ventoux for the Lyonnais. A mythic summit that you can see in the distance from downtown Lyon. The climate this autumn hadn't been bike friendly.