France 2011, Sep 9 Col de L'Iseron

Tomorrow we drive across France to the Pyrenees to start a week-long tour riding the mountains there, so as an excuse not to ride today, we decided to visit a famous, but not commonly used, Col on up the Mauriene Valley. It is too isolated for the Tour de France to use often, but is really spectacular.

On the way up the valley we saw these giant forts. They were a line of forts built in the early 18oo's along the border between France an Italy to secure France from invasion. We didn't storm them.

Passing through mountain towns in France is often beautiful due to the flower displays. This town was particularly great. this is just a small example.

On up the valley we came to the Moutain ski resort village. It is being restored as it was in the ancient times. Note the giant slate roof tiles, some old and some new.

Driving up the actual climb of 14 km was really spectular in many ways. Beautiful views, but also no guard rails anywhere. I was a passanger and had a death grip on the "oh shit" handle and was leaning toward the driver at a 45 degree angle. He said, "not now honey."

This baby is desolate. Val d' Isere is one of the biggest ski resorts in France. The base is 17 km away and the ski lifts came up and above where we were.