Forclaz Series
Route D42 rises out of the valley that cradles Lake Annecy and climbs 8.5KM at a gradient of 8% to reach the Col de la Forclaz.
Col de la Forclaz
July 22, 2004: Stage 17 of the 91st Tour de France rode over the col on the final mountain stage of the year's race, which allowed Richard Virenque to sew up his 7th King of the Mountain title.
July 24, 2005: I rented a mountain bike in Annecy and took the bike path out of town that stretches along the valley floor. After a climb to Entrevernes on one side of the lake, I found D42 and began the climb to the Col de la Forclaz on the other.
Les Sentiers
No toe clips and rucksack on my back, I made the most of the wheels beneath me as the Category 1 ascent rose quickly from the valley towards La Tournette as if I were on an elevator, rather than an escalator, moving directly to the top floor. Painted on the surface of the road were messages left over from last year's Tour stage. Virenque's name ruled the pavement along with the number 7. Allez-y!
When the elevator arrived, it opened onto a magnificent view of Lake Annecy. At that moment, I realized I had discovered the spot where many of the postcard images are taken, the images ubiquitous in shops of the region. It was also the spot where parapenters take their leap to hover above the blue water of the lake below. Oh, to be a bird. If only I had wings, I thought. But wheels would have to do for the descent.