Well, what an epic day I’ve had!. Here’s what I ended up doing….
Started this morning at St Jean de Maurienne. Slightly later then planned thanks to stupidly locking the bike/pannier key inside the pannier (don’t ask, it was an expensive mistake because I had to break the pannier lock to get the key out).
Setting off at 10am I first went up the Col du Telegraphe en route to the Col du Galabier. Very majestic scenery up here and fantastic visibility. This was followed by Col du Lautaret which was more of the same, then along the valley to Briancon and up over the pass and into Italy to Sestriere. At one stage I got stuck behind a coach and couldn’t pass for ages, so I ended up singing the Italian Job theme music to myself to pass the time, hoping the coach would go over the edge.
From Sestriere I went across to
Balboutet and up the hill on a tiny little tarmac road to the Colle delle Finestre which was 50% gravel on the other side. This was a great Col to ride because there are lots of really tight hairpins and it’s also pretty steep downhill on the gravel. Highly recommended. Also there is a route to the left part way up the Colle delle Finestre which takes you on a long gravel road to the Colle del Assietta which is equally brilliant but I’d done that one before. After Finestre I dropped down into Susa and then went up Col du Mont Cenis where the turquoise lake was stunning in the sunshine. After than it was onward to Col de l’Iseran which if I’m honest I’d have to say was pretty intimidating because it was cold, barren, windy and gloomy up there and the roads are very exposed with lots of sheer drops and either no guard walls, or token efforts just 6” high. The road surface was pretty sketchy too. I’m glad I did it but it was more enjoyable afterward than during! A hot chocolate and quiche followed in val d’Isere and then I followed the valley road all the way along to Albertville and my less than salubrious Ibis budget for the night. I was going to do a spur off to do the Petit Mont Saint Bernard but ran out of time thanks to my key disaster in the morning.
Favourite of the day was definitely the Colle delle Finestre. Highly recommended if you’re out that way.
A good day though
