With fantastic autumn weather, I couldn't resist another big pass. This time the “half” Col du Joly. Half because, like the Sabot two weeks ago, it's only surfaced on one side.

Route Description The Col du Sabot - at 2100 m - is the highest of the Isère passes and the only one over 2000 meters. Its near neighbor - the Col de la Croix de Fer at 2064 m - is in the Savoie.

I should have done the tour in the reverse direction but following my GPS I had trouble finding my way in the mean streets of West Lyon.

Jackpot, both the climb and descent were closed to motorvehicles (except locals) due to road works but cycles allowed. This made things much calmer.

It had been a while since I'd ridden to Quarna Sotto. The climb is a nice 8% gradient up a series of switchbacks on the flank of the mountain which I managed at around a VAM of 735m/h.

A quick spin after too much walking in Italy to turn my legs.

A short text of the cross skates on the promenade at Finale Ligure in Italy. You could use normal roller skis on this section.

Felt ok riding out, made it to St Romain, at the base of the climb, around 12h50 (30 minutes into the ride) and thought I'd try a bit of climbing on the Route de Mont Thou despite not having recovered

I'd decided to come back this year but even with my x32 it is at the limit of what I can ride at the moment. The climb was ok temperature wise but just too dam steep now. 53 minutes from Montebuglio.

General DescriptionDiscover villages and hamlets, each more charming than the next, over 44 km of cross country trails in a unique natural setting.