Search Results

Filter

Back to bike

After a lot of roller skiing over previous weeks it was nice to sit on the bike again. It was pretty hot on the climb and quite a few cars. I found out on the descent as the Revel road was closed.
2019-08-30 16:49:52

Alpino classic, Lake Maggiore, Piedmont, Italy

The climb to the cable car at Alpino seemed feasible. I'd ridden this way a few times and had noted the rough road on Via Arcioni in Gignese but everything else seemed ok.
2019-08-25 08:09:48

Ornavasso Frasmatta, Lake Maggiore, Piedmont, Italy

I'd ridden this road a couple of times on a road bike. The surface is quite good to Frasmatta so I decided to attempt it on rollerskis - although the classic variety.
2019-08-23 08:05:22

Evening Roll

I haven't had time to get out much the last few days so decided to roll a bit afterwork. Headwind going to Grenoble that seemed to drop for the return trip.
2019-08-19 16:56:12

Le Venon Lunch ride

First time up this climb this year. It really catches the sun and I didn't fancy climbing it during the heatwave. Very slow too. I know I've not ridden much but my slowest time and over 10% off my PB.
2019-08-14 11:46:27

Lungo il lago

Usual lake roll before a swim. Not too busy for a Sunday but some walkers in the Tresserve car park were not pleased to see a roller skier.
2019-08-11 11:15:28

Mosquito Coast

Stopping near a stagnant drainage ditch by the Domene municipal dump was sub optimal. I was immediately attacked by wave after wave of tiger mosquitoes.
2019-08-09 11:57:32

Superloop - Gières Domène Meylan

I'd spotted they'd completed the Gieres to Domene cycle path so was keen to try it out on roller skis. I didn't know how long it would take so started from the ca-rpark at the start of the towpath.
2019-08-06 11:17:10

Le Japin - la Pérérée

The ski clubs use the Murianette road for training - but they have a mini bus to collection them at le Pinet. I decided to give it a go descending on foot.
2019-08-02 11:45:44

Pre lunch roll

Despite the headwind I was pleased to improve my time on the north segment to 12m48, moving me up about 10 places on Strava.
2019-08-01 11:22:52

La Pérérée to Murianette trail

I wanted to explore la Pérérée to Murianette trail. It is a jeep track, about 2 meters wide.
2019-07-30 12:06:00

Coteaux de Crolles

A short tour before the storm to test out the boy's new fully suspended MTB. All good although we didn't ride the staircase.
2019-07-27 10:53:20

Late Lunch Ride via la Murianette

Got out of work at 12h40 and it was very warm so didn't fancy riding too fast. Not bad in the shade but the final climb to Revel was an inferno.
2019-07-26 12:00:56

Dog Day Afternoon

Just rolled around concentrating on technique - planting forwards, getting body stacked over skis, flexion/extension. All that jazz.
2019-07-23 11:27:04

Lake roll

GPS didn't work for part of the trip so missed about 3km. Going quiet well and better style after a lesson with Valentin from the Ecole de Porte.
2019-07-20 10:45:16

San Primo, Lake Como, Italy

The route stars in Bellagio on the classic Ghisallo climb. The first few km are around 14% gradient. As the road flattens a bit (everything is relative) take a right turn to San Primo.
2019-07-14 14:20:15

Very hard climb

This must be close to my limit for sustained climbing.
2019-07-12 08:12:38

Lago di Maggiore

I wanted to ride the H4 road from Brovello but it is unsurfaced just outside Brovello, I was suprised as people have a VAM of 1600 m/h on it, hard on a MTB or gravel bike.
2019-07-10 07:33:07

Alpino, Lake Maggiore, Italy

Stresa to Alpino is around 10km with 600 meters of climbing. The section out of Stresa is somewhat steeper than the final ride along to Alpino with some hard ramps on the way.
2019-07-08 13:48:49

Boden Bracchio

My orginal plan had been to try and cycle up the quarry road from Candoglia but the road is guarded by a gate with security cameras.
2019-07-07 07:43:59

Piccolo giro

Quick spin in the heat on arrival in Baveno. Climb is pretty stiff and the road uninteresting but rewarded with lake views at Someraro. Lost pump on the descent but went back to find it this evening.
2019-07-06 13:33:48

Tour of the farms

Very hot again, 29C at midday so I just rolled along to the dyke to the end without trying too hard then turned around and took the road and cycle path through the Innovalley.
2019-07-05 11:36:52

Cani-roule

It is insanely hot at the moment so I thought an early start, flat and by the water would be, well if not pleasant, supportable. Well by 9.30am it was far too hot for any sport but luckily I was back.
2019-06-30 07:42:44

Mad dogs and Englishmen on the Galibier

Hot, damn Hot. It wasn't too bad to Plan Lachat but at 4k from the summit I didn't feel great. Very shakey on reaching the col and had to lie down.
2019-06-27 13:18:35

Up Down

Climbing a bit better today. Also front tire stayed inflated. Climbed with a 34x24 on the steep segments, which is better. Good descent to St Nazaire with no traffic.
2019-06-22 19:08:52

Spring Training #2

Spring training with Yves and Valentin. Started with some rollerskiing. First V1 without poles but same arm action, trying to plant ski flat and glide for as long as possible.
2019-06-19 20:02:20

Rollerski practice session

Practice double polling, freeski, gear 1 and gear 2. I didn't feel like going out too much to be honest due to tiredness but glad I made the effort really.
2019-06-18 11:02:55

Post desolation tour

After yesterday's Dauphine finish in terrible conditions I decided to tour the same roads towards the final climb. Quite a strong wind riding out north to the start of the climb.
2019-06-16 18:19:40

Summer bike shakedown

Spent a few hours trying to sought out my tubeless tires for the summer.
2019-06-13 17:44:28

Col de Porte rollerski track

DescriptionThere is a small, 1.3 km loop through the woods and a biathlon shooting range. The loop has a short climb that is quite hard if you repeat the loop.
2019-06-12 19:56:32

Rollerski kit shakedown

I've just replaced my rollerski wheels and have new poles after breaking a pole at the end of last season so wanted to check everything was working. It wasn't.
2019-06-08 20:10:44

Tour of the lago di Orta, Italy

General DescriptionStarting this route in Pettenasco (it has to start somewhere despite being a loop) head south. There is s small climb up to Orta then along the lake.
2019-06-01 13:56:43

Quarna Sopra, Lake Orta, Italy

General DescriptionThe climb to Quarna Sotto is 400 meters of vertical over 5km giving an average gradient of 8%. The switchbacks at the end are steeper.
2019-05-31 14:31:28

Coiromonte from Lake Orta, Italy

General DescriptionThe climb is split into two sections. From the lake at Pettenasco to Pratolungo it is around 6% over 2.5km for 150 meters of climbing.
2019-05-30 15:29:56

Isere dike inline skate

Back on the blades due to my tennis elbow. The idea is to work on balance and stride length with the hope this will transfer over to rollerskiing.
2019-05-29 12:31:15

Le Pleynet crust skiing

I decided to head back up to Le Pleynet.
2019-05-23 12:35:16

Pravouta Tour, Chartreuse, France

General DescriptionFrom one of the car-parks at the col (take care, thieves operating) head to the Col du Coq then take the trail north-west which climbs through woods before turning North East at 150
2019-05-22 11:43:36

Morning ski tour between the rain to the Oursière

There was a bit of a weather window this morning. Unfortunately I was a bit late and missed the best conditions before 10am.There is still snow at the bottom of the pistes at Pipay.
2019-05-18 10:23:40

Murianette - Combe de Lancey

Murianette then over to the Combe de Lancey via the Revel - le Mont backroad. Seriously why make life easy when you can make it hard. The "tres amigos" met over at B.
2019-05-16 13:54:18

Col de Merdaret, les 7 Laux, France

I'd wondered for a long time if it were possible to reach the Rocher Noire from the Pipay side of les 7 Laux. Normally you climb from the col du Barioz.
2019-05-16 09:32:12

Le Paradis Loop

A small loop starting at Gieres, climbing to Uriage then taking a small but steep climb of some 350 meters at 10% after dog and cat home (SPA) with some steeper ramps in places.
2019-05-10 16:34:04

Petit Van West Face

Although I had a great day piste skiing at the start of the season at Chamrousse I'd not been back touring this year.
2019-05-07 10:44:04

St Eynard to the snow

Freezing today I rode as far as the snow although the road was clear to the fort. Cold hands and feet on the climb but warmed up a bit on the descent. St Eynard is certainly steep at the end.
2019-05-06 16:54:39

The Eagle has Landed

The forecast wasn't great for the weekend so I got up early to look out of the window. The clouds were starting to clear so I headed up to Prabert.
2019-05-04 09:10:23

Lac du Bourget, Back to rollerblading after 15 years 🤤😲😞😦

I've not really roller bladed since we left Paris 15 years ago but I've got a bad elbow so it seemed worth a try. Not too bad standing on the skates although it seems a long way off the ground.
2019-05-01 12:42:10

Season End at l'Alpe d'Huez

General Informationl'alpe d'Huez Historyl'alpe d'Huez Off PistePic Blanc and the Tunnel of Legendl'Alpe d'Huez Cross Country SkiingTrip ReportWould the weather be ok, would it not? Finally we set off
2019-04-27 12:30:45

les Karellis

A trip to the "communist" resort of les Karellis. We'd not been here before and so it was a bit of discovery.
2019-04-18 14:57:50

la Feclaz

Final nordic skiing session of the winter, probably. At least in resort. La Feclaz closed yesterday and I'd hoped things would still be okay for skiing today.
2019-04-15 09:09:20

Charmant Som

SN Chartrousin were planning on climbing to the summit of the Charmant Som. That meant the road would be pisted and in good condition.
2019-04-13 10:08:46

Les 7 laux closing weekend

In theory the closing weekend at les 7 Laux although they often extend the season if the conditions are good.
2019-04-06 11:44:18

Secret Chamechaude passage du lapin

A little afterwork to ski the Cords Passage, a relatively secret descent off the very popular Chamechaude mountain. I stopped at the first step about 80 meters below the final summit.
2019-04-05 17:29:32

Janvril on Pravouta

With a return to winter, or Janvril as it is known it seemed like a good idea to take a tour. It was possible to start from le Baure climbing up through the pastures towards the Col du Coq.
2019-04-04 13:15:26

Les 7 Laux

Morning session at the 7 Laux. We did a few tops to bottom and general larking.
2019-03-31 12:29:52

Col de Porte Training #8

Last training session with the SNC before the spring break. We worked again on gainage and balance. Still need to improve coordination.
2019-03-30 10:35:10

Last Barioz of 2019

Last Barioz before the annual closure on the 31st March. Overall a good season. I skied the Creve Coeur, Refuge, Levant and Luisard for a good tour of the runs. Excellent skiing.
2019-03-28 10:41:00

Chamechaude : le canyon

A chance to look at the avalanche that ripped down to the Col de Porte - Hotel ski lift in January on a risk 5 weekend. The biggest avalanche in 42 years according to the locals.
2019-03-27 17:14:18

Super Collet

Excellent spring ski conditions. We focused on some long descents, although in Allevard that means in the 620 to 650 range.
2019-03-24 21:34:28

Col de Porte Nordic Training #7

On this, the 7th training session we were focussed on balance and upper body with our coach Etienne as you can see in the video below.
2019-03-23 21:39:40

Bois Barbu Odyssey

General DescriptionBois Barbu (Villard du Lans) is linked with Herbouilly and Corrençon in the Vercors. Together they constitute the three access points of the Haut Vercors nordic ski area.
2019-03-21 07:36:39

Last Virgule but not least of 2019

This is almost certainly going to be my last Virgule Couloir of 2019. First off all getting up at 6am during the week is not my cuppa but the reward is seeing the sun rise over the Alps.
2019-03-19 09:18:00

Cime de la Jasse

I was back from a week in Paris and feeling quite tired so wanted somewhere close and not too complicated - easy climb and ski and no reskinning.
2019-03-17 21:05:10