Are you ready to learn the secret of climbing cols? OK, here goes … there is no secret. Sorry. I wish there was a secret to get us magically and easily up a mountain, but in reality it’s all about the legs, experience, confidence, patience and nutrition. Oh wait, there might be a secret after … Continue reading Climbing the Monte du Semnoz and … the Secret of Climbing Cols!
Tag: cycling in annecy
Two Cols, A Case of Napnesia, Soft-Boiled Eggs and A Baguette Sandwich
Today was a great day of riding: 2 cols, 55.28 miles and 3,157 feet of climbing. You have a lot of time for thinking on the way up a mountain when you’re going 4 or 5 miles per hour, and so … here are a few of my thoughts … While I’m not quite ready … Continue reading Two Cols, A Case of Napnesia, Soft-Boiled Eggs and A Baguette Sandwich
Jet Lag, the Wrong Way, the Right Way, No Sandwich For You and Climbing the Col de Forclaz (Day 1)
I wasn’t feeling it this morning when I woke up after a terrible night’s sleep. The second in a row. Maybe it's the jet lag, which seems to get worse the older I get. Even with my Ativan (anxiety/sleeping) pills. Maybe it's Susan. Who wasn’t with me (we meet up in Paris in about a … Continue reading Jet Lag, the Wrong Way, the Right Way, No Sandwich For You and Climbing the Col de Forclaz (Day 1)
The First Col is the Steepest (Or Maybe Not!)
I admit it: I was a little apprehensive about this trip to the French Alps to climb the collection of cols. It’s not like I’m getting any younger, and it’s hard to practice climbing mountains in pancake-flat Central Ohio, where I live and train. But, what are you gonna do? Not go? Of course not. … Continue reading The First Col is the Steepest (Or Maybe Not!)
Social Media Was Invented for Planning Bike Trips
It’s 1990, and my first major French bike trip: Paris to Nice. In preparation, I leafed through a Let’s Go France book and bought a couple Michelin maps. It’s 2022, and my first French bike trip since 2019: the Haute Savoie portion of the Alps, from bases in Annecy and Cluses (I depart on September … Continue reading Social Media Was Invented for Planning Bike Trips
The Biking France Blog 