I’m nonetheless right here! I’ve been primarily driving domestically or visiting close by larger climbs that I’ve written about endlessly (Joux Airplane, Croix Fry, Colombière, and so forth). However thank-you for all the type emails worrying about me! 🙂

Here’s a new enjoyable journey. An unpaved experience as much as Col du Mont Cenis and its lake then up larger to the Ancien Fort de Pattacreuse (2385m). I began in Lanslebourg precisely at first of the ten km paved climb to Mont Cenis, however instantly jumped onto a superb high quality unpaved highway. It’s at occasions fairly steep, however very peaceable and good biking. It’s the similar route that would result in Pas de Beccia (2717 metres) by way of Fort de la Turra

However at roughly 2100 metres I’d flip left and briefly be a part of the paved highway slightly below Col du Mont Cenis (2085 metres).

Simply after the col, I’d get off the primary highway and head in direction of Col du Petit Mont Cenis,however shortly get onto the gravel highway that runs alongside the west aspect of Lac du Mont Cenis.

I’ve performed a number of big rides to and excessive above Lac du Mont Cenis. Please see the underside of this submit for a map and hyperlink to the three paved routes and a bunch of really excellent excessive unpaved stuff.

Up till this level it had been a reasonably large experience, however the true enjoyable was about to start. Approaching the far finish of the lake I turned up onto on outdated army highway in OK situation. Hairpins all over the place. Right here let me admit that I had made a mistake. The plan had been to experience to Fort Malamot, one other outdated fort however perched at over 2900 metres. I had made a improper flip however as soon as I realised the error I used to be too thrilled with the views to show round!

Wow!

The outdated fort was constructed within the late 1800’s. It’s perched at 2385 metres and primarily ruins. I regarded round at a mountain climbing path past however didn’t see an affordable alternate path to go larger or descend so I doubled again down the way in which I had climbed.

I explored additional south alongside the lake and located the path to Fort Malamot however frankly I used to be drained and determined it was an journey for an additional day. 🙁

There was no mobile phone service however I knew my spouse had parked close to the dam and had gone mountain climbing so I rode onto the dam and ran into her. So the route on the map simply has me ending right here. In the event you wanted to descend, I’d recommend avoiding the busy paved east aspect of the lake if it’s summer season. My plan if I couldn’t discover my spouse was to principally double again all the way in which to the start.

Extra Mont Cenis Rides

Please go to the article Lac du Mont Cenis: A Detailed Look for a contact of historical past and particulars of the three paved routes (together with a lesser identified tremendous enjoyable 2nd means up from Italian aspect). Additionally a number of of my completely favorite super-high unpaved rides. The pictures beneath are me making an attempt to persuade you to click on the hyperlink. 🙂