May 15, 2025
To Annecy
The day started splendidly at breakfast with warm greetings from Eva and Willy, one of the German couples traveling the Via Rhôna south to the sea. Though sitting at an adjacent table, I felt like one of their group - exchanging easy conversation, contact information, and big hugs as I left to face the climb over the ridge to Annecy.
It was another clear day with moderate temperatures - ideal for cycling. I crossed the Rhône, thanking her for a wonderful few days, and set out for the Cycle Blaze rendezvous in Annecy. The day’s ride was basically an up and down to Annecy, a little over twenty miles depending on the route. I’d opted for the somewhat longer, but less steep route along D17 that started with a six mile climb out of the gate. Though long, it was never too taxing and for the most part was quite enjoyable as took I in the views of the Haut Rhône. There was a bit of excitement when a mower initiated a minor traffic jam at a sharp turn on the otherwise low-traffic road, but I arrived safely in Clermont feeling strong, and happy.
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1 week ago
The seven miles beyond Clermont rolled through a mostly pastoral landscape peppered with a few small towns and farms. I made stops for picnic lunch in Coucy and several times thereafter, trying to capture the distant snow-capped Alps. Soon I was sweeping down through more upscale towns that lay closer to Annecy, getting more excited by the mile.
It was shortly after Sillingy where things got a little crazy. My track had put me on a busy divided highway that seem ill-suited for biking. I quickly got off and was trying to reroute myself when I spotted a cycle path with signs pointing to Annecy. It lay on the other side of the highway, but I found the underpass and was soon on my way….or so I thought. I lost the path, and there was no obvious way forward without getting back on the highway. I started following random cyclists, thinking they would lead me back to town, but they only led me to Decathlon City, a large shopping complex on the outskirts of Annecy. Eventually I was back on track and on well-marked cycling lanes in the city limits that took me to my hotel.
Suzanne and Janos had arrived at the restaurant shortly before me, and Scott and Rachael came not long after. It was a wonderful evening catching up on the latest news and reminiscing about past times together. You can get additional perspectives of our trip by reading the journals of Scott and Rachael and Suzanne and Janos. Though the news was not all uplifting, we were thankful that we'd all made it to Annecy and will be able to spend some time together.
Today's ride: 23 miles (37 km)
Total: 418 miles (673 km)
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