Routes des Grandes Alpes

On Monday 24th June we headed north to Annecy and then to the Route des Grandes Alpes. The first mountain or Col we climbed was Col de Saisies, at 1648m elevation, we were unprepared for the cold weather that came in and at lunchtime I popped my thermals on.  These Mountains are used by crazy cyclists, on the one hand I'm in awe of their endurance and dedication, on the other hand I think they are nuts!!! We then carried on to the Cormet de Roseland, at 1968m elevation, we were thrilled to see the snow and stopped to talk with some German bikers and crazy cyclists at the top too. We then headed to a hotel in Bourg-St-Maurice to warm up.

 

On Tuesday, 25th June, we headed up Col de L'Iseran, 2770m in elevation, you can see the cyclists behind me in the photo....

 

 The day then warmed up as we headed further south along the Route and the next peak we reached was Col du Telegraph, 1566m in elevation which was used as a route for the Tour de France cycle race in 1957 - the roads back then were in a very different condition.

Next peak was Col du Galibier at 2642m, there was a professional photographer on the road taking pics, which we have ordered one, a rare pic of the two of us on the bike at the top of this mountain and will definitely be framed.

We then headed south to Le Laus 1745m in elevation, just south of Briancon and not far from the next morning's peak.

On Wednesday, 26th June, the next mountain was less than 20mins away so we beat the cyclists! Col D'Izard, 2360m in elevation and not far down the road was La Casse Desserte, 2220m.

The Col D'Allos, 2250m.

We then spent a couple of nights in Barreme so we could visit the Verdon Gorges on 27th June, which was beautiful.

On Friday, 28th June we headed to Italy....so it's au revoir to France and buon giorno it Italy...

Buona sera, next blog is all about Tuscany - Pisa, Florence and Cinque Terra.