Headed out with Mike to have a look at his super new MTB. The trail is pretty good in the damp as it is mostly sand which drains well. Some snow on the descent but generally good grip going down.

I'd not been out on my bike for a couple of weeks.

I'd wanted to drive up to the summer parking so only climb 400 meters but the road has been closed as they don't want drivers using it during the winter.

From the town hall in les Pres take a metalled road through the village direction Croix de l'Alpe. After 100 m by a fire hydrant and reservoir follow a small path to the left (NW) past a house.

Normally I would be skiing this route but in this start of winter, well it was more like spring, there was no snow below 1900m.

From the Col du Coq parking 150 meters before the col itself climb the path to the Col des Ayes then take a zig-zag path below the cliffs of the Dent de Crolles.

I've not been out on the bike since the end of November but with no recent snow and limited time decided to do an MTB tour with the hope that the biting cold would have frozen all the mud.

Starting from the hamlet of Lnagenet follow the road to Rouare, la Planta then after some zig-zags the roads flattens. Take a right hander to les Avons to finally reach the Col du Lauteret.

Quick rollerski along the banks of the Isere before Sunday lunch. Largely dry on the route but a bit of storm debris (leaves, branches) here and there.

There was light snow forecast for Wednesday with a return to good weather for Thursday so I made sure to leave the day free.