I took the most of the sunny warm weather yesterday to go out on my bike.? I headed through the small village of Esserts-Blay with the sound of cow bells tinkling from the nearby fields.? The small back road that follows the river Isere was nice and peaceful and there were a few herds of goats in the neighbouring fields.
I crossed under the “voie rapide” (dual-carriageway) that connects Albertville with Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice and went through the village of Tours en Savoie.? Soon I was in the outskirts of Albertville and passing below the old medieval town of Conflans; sadly often missed with it’s old fortified walls.
I took the new (relatively) cycle path that follows the river d’Arly to Ugine after managing to “slipstream” a small motorbike to get some speed!? From here I headed for the Col de la Forclaz (Ugine/Queige) c.900m and started the ziz-zag climb past old chalets and bright green fields with flowers making their appearance.
Another cyclist caught me up and we chatted on the ascent and he turned out to be another “Accompagnateur” (International Mountain Leader) who works in the Beaufortain.? The col was finally attained and a fast, twisty, descent ensued to reach the village of Queige on the road that links Albertville with Beaufort.
The road was quite busy and the twists and turns as it follows the Duron so we had to take care with the traffic.? Soon we were back at Albertville where we parted company.? I headed back towards St Paul via Tours en Savoie and La Bathie followed by a sting in the tail; the climb back to Esserts Blay.
A good afternoon out and about 50km more in the legs plus the climbs.
