I wanted to explore a couple of dead end backroads that I always ride by plus it was a way to break up the climb.

I'd not ridden this loop over the Col de la Poya since pre-lockdown.

Due to the lockdown I think this is the first Murianette on road bike this year.

It had rained all day but the weather said sun from 4pm, it started drying out at 3pm so I gave it an hour or so for the roads to be good.

Very hard climb due to bad back and a top gear that didn't engage properly. The road to the power station has been resurfaced for some reason, very smooth now.

A new way to the Col des Ayes for me, Via les Hurtieres (pretty climb with almost no cars) then in the village via the Col de la Croix de Theys and a 2km gravel section to rejoin les Berts and the col

Rebooting my cycling career with another climb across the valley, apart from the danger of being squashed by a speeding driver crossing over the valley it is much closer than the right bank for climbs

Note: this road is closed in the winter months. It is also poorly surfaced before the main Allevard road.This used to be a departmental road but has been abandoned to the elements for a dozen years.

Quite a good ride today. 47 minutes for the climb (VAM of 940 m/h) which is not too bad. Nice to be feeling on better form due to cycling a bit more.

I don't usually road bike until the spring but as the weather has been spring like I thought, why not? The Murianette is a shaded climb so not ideal at this time of year but it is relatively easy comp