Forêt Domaniale de Prémol

I know enough about (weather) models to not trust them fully. So I decided I'm going to stand my ground and check for my passage later. But for now, the rain had let up, so it was time to ride again and stand my ground... over there. I decided to ride into the mountains south of here in Isère.

With a helpful lift up to Revel from Elodie, I started riding on. It is Victory memorial day, so the uniformed French are out marking the honor of their war efforts. This region was famous for the resistance against the fascists.

The resistance I faced was the long uphill on the Monteé de Chamrousse up to Montgardier. A few days of rest had already made my muscles lazy. I understood them - looking up ahead - why was I riding into the clouds and rain? When I got up there to 1300 m, my sweat started to steam off my back.

I had learnt: uphill means downhill! The ride down after crossing Col Luitel (lake was covered in mist) was a thrilling slide through a green tunnel going pretty much straight down! I careened down, blinking into the rain, with whoops and squeals for a good 20 minutes, back till I was at 350 m altitude. Now THAT was proper payback!

And here in Sechilienne is the road going east into the Oisans.Read more