Alps, Southern France, September 2012
And the next tour into the Alps. This time we went to Southern France into Vaujany, a little ski Village close to Grenoble. It is located in the heart of the French alps and very close to Alp d'Huez and Col du Galibier. Our base was Chalet Solneige - a little hotel with nice rooms and very good food. A little bit special was the dinner arrangement: All guests took a seat on a long table and got the same three course meal.
This time we had Martina, Thomas Paul and myself in the group. Paul came over from the US and rented a bike from Moto Plaisir in Annemasse/France (very close to Geneva/Switzerland).
Our tours added up to 2000 km / 1200 miles and we climbed about 50 km / 30 miles going over 53 passes. Including my journey from and to Berlin I got 5000 km / 3000 miles, climbed about 87 km / 54 miles going over 60 passes.
We enjoyed roads, company, French and Italian food and some challenges like road closures, rain and cold temperatures.
While I have to ride about 890 km / 550 miles across Germany to get from Berlin to Black Forrest, Paul is exploring Geneva.
Map 2012_09_07
We have to get through Switzerland in order to pick up Paul in Annemasse (the town next to Geneva on the french side of the border).
Map 2012_09_08
Our first tour with all four of us will bring us to Col du Pré which is a beautiful pass with great views. It is Sunday and the weather is very decent. So the traffic on this little pass is insane.
Map 2012_09_09

Today we do a nice loop via Alp d'Huez towards Col du Lautaret, Col du Galibier, Col du Telegraph and so on.
Map 2012_09_10

Lac de Serre-Ponçon is our target today.
Map 2012_09_11

The weather got worse over night. There is snow on top of the mountains, it is cold and raining. The first half of the day was ok but in the afternoon it was all cold and wet and did not make too much fun.
Map 2012_09_12
It is cold but dry and we want to go to Mont Cenis
Map 2012_09_13
Our last day together. The last tour brings us to the highest point as well and - in my opinion the most amazing views of the week. Colle dell Agnello is where we want to go.
Map 2012_09_14


I have to make my way back to Germany and will visit friends close to Stuttgart.
Map 2012_09_15
I have to ride home from Stuttgart to Berlin.
Map 2012_09_16