Despite a persistent cold I wanted to take advantage of this wonderful autumn day. Nothing difficult. Superb countryside with the Chartreuse and especially the Belledonne as backdrops.

Decided to give skiing a rest due to the poor refreezes over the last couple of days and get the MTB out for a 28km route starting at the house and going down the Gresivaudan valley towards la Terrace

From Crolles Town Hall take cycle path to the Chateau de Bernis then track to les Echelles.

Park at L'Erigné as close to the end of the road as you can, then follow the summer road upwards towards the Lac des Mines d'Or (signposted), this road is pisted into a walking track regularly i

From Mollard Ciseaux climb the road towards Prodin. At the hairpin at 1080 meters continue to the Trois Sources.

Tour near home with Chris who didn't know the Giclard route. We started low to add some vertical.

I'd been away for a few days, bad weather so no skiing lost. I got back around noon on Wednesday. A glorius day of sun and blue skied. Not too warm. Maybe a chance to get in a quick west face.

ClimbFrom the Station du Granier, when the resort is open you are not allowed to climb on the ski runs. This is pretty strictly controlled by the pisteurs.

The climb from la Terrace or via the Chateau du Carré at Lumbin to St Bernard du Touvet is 7km over 635m giving an average of just over 9% but after km4 there is a 1km section at 11%.

The Giclas is normally a "safe" tour in the forests of the Chartreuse. Despite the risk 2 I was worried about windslab. Well it turned out not to be as safe as all that.