We rolled out early, the calm of Lake Annecy still hanging in the air. Spirits were high, legs were fresh, and bags still felt suspiciously light.
The road tilted up sooner than expected. The first real test came with Col de la Forclaz—a reminder that this trip wouldn’t ease us in. Long stretches of silence followed, broken only by breathing, freewheels, and the occasional laugh when someone cracked first.
By the time we crossed Col de la Madeleine, the group rhythm had formed: ride your own pace, regroup at the top, never rush the moments that matter.
That night, tired legs met full plates. The Alps had officially opened their doors.
Day two didn’t ask questions—it demanded answers.
Col du Chaussy set the tone early, followed by the long pull toward Col du Télégraphe. Clouds rolled in. Rain followed. The kind that seeps in slowly and stays.
Then came Col du Galibier. The air thinned. Conversations stopped. Everyone disappeared into their own effort.At the summit, no one said much. We didn’t need to.
Descending wet mountain roads together builds trust fast. You learn who rides smoothly, who jokes when it hurts, who waits without being asked.
That night, everything felt earned.
This was the queen stage. From the start, the road pointed toward giants: Col de Vars, then higher still to Col de la Bonette—the highest paved road in Europe.
Up there, the landscape strips things down. No trees. No noise. Just rock, sky, and the sound of effort.
Somewhere near the top, fatigue turned into something else—focus, clarity, presence. The kind you only get when there’s nothing left to save.
The descent was endless. The smiles came back.
<top-left>
The final day felt lighter. Not easier—but lighter.
Through Col Saint-Martin, Col de Turini, and Col de Castillon, the scent of the Mediterranean slowly replaced mountain air.
The last climb—Col de la Madone—felt ceremonial. One final effort before the reward.
Then suddenly: the sea. Salt in the air. Sun on tired legs. Four days compressed into one shared look that said everything.
We’ve bundled the full GPX files for all four days—cleaned, tested, and ready to load.
Perfect if you:
- Want a multi-day Alpine adventure with friends
- Love long climbs and quiet roads
- Prefer experience over competition
Sign up for the OLEUS newsletter and get the GPX files.
You’ll get the route, future adventure drops, and early access to upcoming projects.
