For once we are not referring to 'La Marmotte' cyclosportive, but the furry kind! We saw our first marmotte of 2008 today, fresh from hibernation and looking happy to see the arrival of spring and sunshine. This weekend we have made the most of the good weather and have had 2 fantastic rides - good thing too as more late snow is forecast for tomorrow forcing us (and probably the Marmotte too) back into hibernation for a few days.

Yesterday we headed off to a pretty town called 'Tullins', not too far from Grenoble airport. We took part in a 'cyclo randonnee' there. Cyclo randonnees are a little like cyclosportives, but are not mass-start/first over the line events. Yesterdays' randonnee had a choice of 3 circuits; 55km, 88km and 115km, the sign-on and departure for each circuit was any time between 7am and midday. Each rider received a basic route card and a card for the control points and feed stations along the way.

The route cards were not needed as each loop was also clearly marked by fluorescent arrows on the road. These arrows took us along some great little single track back lanes and quiet 'B' roads through fields upon fields of walnut trees (Grenoble and the surrounding area is famous for it's walnuts). We rode 3 little cols each one around 650 metres. This time of year always offers some dramatic scenery as the snow, which is still present above 2,000 metres, contrasts beautifully against the fresh green of the spring grass and new leaves. After completing the 88km circuit it was back to the town hall where the tables had been laid out for the post-ride food (all included in the price of the event €8). Sausages and pasta and the local 'Saint Marcellin' cheese - so runny that it had to be ladled onto our plates! (see attached photo below). As usual, there was a good and friendly atmosphere among the riders and the club members who were hosting the event.

Today we had a shorter ride out with two of our neighbours, Yves and Christian. We headed over the Col d'Ornon to the 'Trieves' area for a 'rolling' ride. Yves, who chose the route, is already in great shape due to a winter of cross country skiing. His local knowledge is exhaustive, and if it's a beautiful but challenging ride on tiny, very, very steep roads that you're after, then he's the man to ask! We should have suspected a tough few hours in the saddle when he started enquiring if we were riding compacts today! Actually, he was pretty kind to us and the maximum gradient we tackled today was only 14 % (this time last year he took us up a brutal hill where we both nearly vomited at the summit!).

We arrived back to cold drinks on a sunny terrace and a fantastic lunch prepared for us by Christians' wife, after which we all watched the last 50km of Paris Roubaix on the TV. A perfect weekend!

Helyn
www.kingofthemountains.co.uk