Idea was to do a small ride into the Mont d'Or but as I climbed the rain started and then got heavier and heavier so I cut my losses and headed down as fast as possible but added a mini climb over the

A slight change in the programme with a long ride along the river to Albigny sur Saone then a climb on the main road to Poleymieux au Mont d'Or although the short cut via Curis au Mont d'Or was a bad

It might seem logical climbing Mt Thou via the eponymous road but it is around to the east side of the mountain so not totally convenient.

I wasn't very motivated due to the weather but decided a little tour to break the 50K barrier this year wouldn't hurt.

Felt tired today, still recovering from 'flu so decided to take it easy with a little loop around Mont d'Or. Went to look at the airbase, it is still active with armed soldiers patrolling.

A real col du Verdun this weekend with a climb on the closed section. Absolutely no-one around and few cars. Climb is just steep enough on 42x24 but not too steep.

Pushed out to Limonest today and the closed Mont Verdun climb which I descended. A lot of cyclists on it enjoying the Sunday afternoon sun.

5 years since I'd climbed the 4S from the west side. 4 minutes off my PR for the climb but just a minute behind my 2016 times so could do better once the weather warms up a little.

The 4S (seigneurs) summit is a classic for road cyclists and MTBers in the area, short, sharp but quiet roads with a great view.

The climbs are not too long. Basically 4 climbs of around 300 meters. It starts right in the heart of Lyon in the 9th district but the traffic pretty much goes by the turn for the first climb.