This basic trip outline is the one we were going to follow in 2014 and, due to sad circumstances, had to cancel.
We are flying from SFO to Geneva via Heathrow. We should get into Geneva at 4:45pm on Wednesday September 2nd. We will head due south towards Annecy for our first stop.
Lake Annecy, according to a friend of mine I happened to run into Saturday and who has been to Lake Annecy, is the clearest high alpine lake in the. . . I think he said "world". Is it? I have no idea. He also said it's a constant 80 degrees. Could it be? I guess we will find out.
The ever reliable Wikipedia had this to say about Lake Annecy:
"It is the third largest lake in France, after the Lac du Bourget and Lac de Grand-Lieu, if the French part of Lake Geneva (which is also partly in Switzerland) is excluded. It is known as "Europe's cleanest lake" because of strict environmental regulations introduced in the 1960s. It is a popular tourist destination known for its swimming and water sports."
Maybe my friend meant the "cleanest" lake? "Clean" and "clear" aren't necessarily the same thing. And it was only more modestly linked to "Europe" rather than "the world".
Whichever--it's pretty.
We are staying a little south of Annecy proper in a town called Saint-Jorioz at the Hotel Les Tilleuls.
Hotel Les Tilleuls
After a brief scare about the weather earlier this week where it looked like it was going to be a wash out, the forecasts have cleared substantially as the actual days approached. Should be fantastic.
I ended up adding an additional day after watching the Tour de France this year. After looking at the area I could easily see spending the entire 26 days in this region--just so much to do if you're into cycling. We're looking at exploring 4 key rides this time:
Grand Colombier
Montvernier
Cormet de Roseland
Etape du Tour (stage route from 2013 TdF)
Grand Colombier was the main impetus for starting in Annecy. After doing Mt Ventoux's three asecents in one day in 2010, there was a link to a "club" that tackles Grand Colombier's 4 ascents in one day--so that's the target.
http://www.felesducolombier.fr/english/home
I'll have my name added to a cute little list of achievers. I wonder how anyone will know it's there? Here's my name from 2010:
Oliver finished Ventoux
I have to get my name out there somehow.
Montvernier was featured in the Tour this year, famous for it's switchbacks, though it is not considered a particularly difficult climb:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9554036
Cormet de Roseland was on our agenda to ride in 2006 during my first trip to Europe (and the trip where Linda and I first dated). Due to logistics it had to be cut out of the trip. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful passes in Europe so it has been on my list to ride since 2006.
The intended route:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7240890
Every year the Tour de France organizers invites the general public to ride a stage of the Tour ahead of the actual race. In 2013 the Etape du Tour visited the Annecy region. I tailored the route to start and finish at Les Tilleuls, but it covers the same ground.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9592029
This should be exciting and fun. We are about packed as I write this. I'd better go get showered and load the car.
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