To Val D'Isere

The French standard of driving is pretty poor with a tendency not to signal and pull out into traffic at will. Whilst this has introduced a new phenomenon of pillion rage.....it was not the reason for our biggest 'near miss' to date.

There are plenty of loose dogs around on the alps and one ran out as we were cruising at 60 mph. We were fortunate it realised at the last moment.

Our ride was to follow part of the famous Route de Grandes Alpes including conquering four mountains (Cols).

Col d'Allos (1792m) - very narrow and not that enjoyable.

Col de Vars (2109m) - OK

Col du Galibier (2642m) - great pass made better with the cycling event.

Col de L'Iseran (2770m) - another great pass with plenty of snow still around.

Good - it's open.

Tunnel at the top of the Galibier.

The Valloire area looks very good (stones on the mountainside).

This is the first sign we saw for Val d'Isere out of a 330km journey.