Day 15 Ugine to Leysin

Another guest at the Ugine hotel was a retired civil engineer from Chester, England, riding a BMW R1200GS Adventure. He was on his way to Corsica, taking a week to get there, a week there and a week back.






We got on well over dinner and breakfast, and decided to ride together for the first part of the day, but we got separated after 30 minutes when he misunderstood the route I'd planned. It was never going to work for very long, as I was doing a 200 km day and his was to be 500 km.

As it turned out, I had another perfect day, and took my time between riding sessions. First the N212 from Ugine towards Megeve, a major road along the Gorge d'Arly, and just my style, 90 kph sweepers alongside the river, another green tunnel, but good visibility for most corners, until we reached a line of traffic.







The web warns not to ride it when it's busy, and it would be really frustrating if you weren't prepared to stop and let the traffic get ahead, as we did. Then back to Flumet and west up to the Col des Aravis, with its spectacular limestone walls.
































Through La Clusaz



















to St Jean de Sixt, then north to the Col de La Colombiere and a long break for food and photos.



















I filmed the gentle but wonderful ride down from Colombiere, about 12 minutes in all, but I'm running out of SD chips - I had 50 MB, but will have to look for more tomorrow. Only have 25 mins of recording left on the JVC. Wish you could see it, and maybe you will when I work it out.

Wasted more than half an hour driving around Cluses trying to find a non-automatic petrol station; most are unmanned and my cards are not accepted, as I learned on day 3. Eventually stopped at a Suzuki dealer and asked to be directed. As usual, there was an English-speaker on the staff and he sent me off to the local Carrefours. His directions didn't help me find it (more driving in circles), but once I had the name, the GPS showed me where to go. Frustrating; petrol everywhere but not for me.







More great country to ride through, too much to go fast, and then I round a corner and this hits me in the face.






Learned tonight it's called the Dents du Midi. Shortly after I cross the border into Switzerland; the road surface improves and the houses are newer and neater.



















Tonight sharing an Auberge (hostel) with a group from a private school in North Wales, 8 year 10 students, 3 teachers, in Switzerland rock-climbing. Outdoor activities are a large part of their curriculum.

Tomorrow a fairly quiet day; Col de Mosse, Juanpass, the north side of Lac Thun and Lac Brienz, then through Meiringen to Innertkirchen, and some Pass checking if early enough.

Location:Leysin, Switzerland