This years Epic Summer trip

[5andy]

Interesting to read about the temps you are experiencing. We’ve been in Normandy for the last week or so waiting for the Tour to start and the heat bomb seems to have passed us by. Temperatures have rarely surpassed 25°C and with cooling sea breazes, almost pleasant.

 

[barryd]

Interesting to read about the temps you are experiencing. We’ve been in Normandy for the last week or so waiting for the Tour to start and the heat bomb seems to have passed us by. Temperatures have rarely surpassed 25°C and with cooling sea breazes, almost pleasant.

I gather it was 42c in parts of central southern France this week. We struck lucky where we were. Hot but cool nights. A lake with a huge pine forested mountain behind it acted a bit like an air conditioner. Its all changing after today though I think. Sunday and Monday here look actually cold!

 

[vinner]

It was 40°C down in the Tinée valley on Sunday when I rode over the Col de la Couillole and Col de la Sinne on my bike. And when I say bike, I mean push bike.
The cicadas were loving it and I've never seen so many butterflies!

 

[5andy]

I hope so. We’re heading towards the Pyrenees in the next couple of weeks and temps seem to be on their way up again by then. We’re hoping the mountains will keep things a bit cooler. Enjoyed reading about your trip so far.

 

[barryd]

Just trying to plan around the weather now. I don't think either of us are as excited as we once were about Jura. Probably because the Alps are now so close (Well you can see them from the top of Eagles Peak). Sunday and Monday look naff so I think we will head to Annecy but at the moment from Wednesday onwards it looks set to be wall to wall sunshine across the high Alps to the east of Annecy and the Col du Pre from Beaufort (more cheese) and Lac de Roseland looks fantastic. I always wanted to go to Roseland every time we have been at Annecy but never bothered as the weather was always crap up there. ITs up at 5000-6000ft I think.

I found this video this morning. Got to be done.

Planned this route.

 

[mark61]

Stop faffing around and get to the blooming mountains.

I'd go Thorens-Glières > Tant Sec > Saint-Jean-de-Sixt > La Clusaz > Flumet and over the hill to Col du Pre.
That's just to avoid Annecy and I have a soft spot for La Clusaz

 

[barryd]

Stop faffing around and get to the blooming mountains.

I'd go Thorens-Glières > Tant Sec > Saint-Jean-de-Sixt > La Clusaz > Flumet and over the hill to Col du Pre.
That's just to avoid Annecy and I have a soft spot for La Clusaz

We were going to go back to La Clusaz and then down to Annecy but from here I think ill head straight to Annecy for a few days for Sunday and next week as its a bit lower down and Sunday and Monday may be better there than anywhere else. Its crap up in the mountains if its rubbish weather.

 

[Drover]

Annecy.....bloody gridlocked a week ago..could not park anywhere near that big puddle..so left..
Como so much better.

 

[mark61]

Surprised Como isn't packed too.

 

[Drover]

Surprised Como isn't packed too.

Just up past Dongo this place had 2 motorhomes there. Room for 30 .Lakeside .well within 50 mtrs
N 46.138901, E 9.302200
Closer to Dongo there was an aire for around 12. There were 3 there..
Both had no services
Ferry from Dongo to all places on the lake

 

[barryd]

One of the best experiences we had of Annecy was arriving in time for Bastille day.. that was 16 years ago though. It was magical but totally mental at the same time.

We will go on the farm Aire away from all the chaos at Lathule though right at the bottom end of the lake and just use the bike. If it's crap I'll head into the big mountains. Maybe two or three days at Annecy will be enough.

Anyway I'm dead chuffed as I just bought a kilo of 18 month comte and aged Morbier from my favourite cheese place here. Michelle ain't happy as there's no room left in the massive but full fridge.

 

[barryd]

A few more pics from today. Nice evening ride round some of the lakes near us. I must take a video of the ride up to Eagles Peak as the road is an absolute stonker.

Quiet up here now. Joined by about four other vans but loads of space

Enjoying a Grumbleweed beer. Its a bit like Leffe Blonde but actually, I think its maybe better.

 

[runnach]

Barry, what’s with the different colour at the waters edge, plankton bloom?

 

[runnach]

Anyway I'm dead chuffed as I just bought a kilo of 18 month comte and aged Morbier from my favourite cheese place here. Michelle ain't happy…..

As the cheese smells worse than socks you have worn for a week!!

 

[barryd]

Barry, what’s with the different colour at the waters edge, plankton bloom?

I think it's just the sandy bottom and then it drops deep

 

[barryd]

Beer o'clock has been interrupted. Madam has sent me to the local bar for some Frites! F F S!

Good job I've only had one!

 

[barryd]

Ferkin ell!! How long does it take to make some feckin Frites! ?

I dare t have another beer while I wait

 

[Pudsey Bear]

When did they start making booze then?

 

[trevskoda]

No harm to you lot, if i was in those temps i would die for sure, ok so you lot want to send me then.

 

[barryd]

Short video I took this morning from near Eagles peak and one of the view points. You can see the lakes in a bit more detail

This is our last day here today. Big ride out planned this afternoon assuming I have enough fuel to get to the petrol station.