The European Chronicles 2026.3 - A French Sojourn
Time To Climb
The Petit Saint Bernard Pass straddles France and Italy; La Thuile sits at the Italian terminus.
France is home to some legendary passes, including the Col de L'Iseran, the highest paved pass in the Alps at 2764 meters (9068 feet). It is still closed for the winter; I'm hoping it opens while I'm here.
But there are more, many more...I've plotted a loop...or I'm trying to...
See the missing section? That's the Cormet de Roseland...TomTom is telling me it is closed and won't let me plot through it; Google is telling me it "may" be closed; it is listed as open on the Alpine Pass site.
The weather is sketchy for the afternoon, so rather that do the whole loop clockwise and find out it is closed, I'll "turn right" and see what's what, then make a decision from there...
First, over the Petit Saint Bernard...starting the climb.
Very well behaved doggies at the summit. 😂
Adding to the collection.
While I'm at the top, a Lamborghini, a couple of Audi R8s and a 911 show up...out for a Monday morning drive...
On the French side is the town of La Rosiere...home of the "pink road," more later...but pink is a theme.
Ouvert!
A stunning climb. Like many of the passes in this area, the Cormet de Roseland is often on the Tour de France route.
TomTom is STILL telling me it is closed. 😂
Throughout the Alps, many of the more well-known passes have "pass photographers." They set up in one of the corners and catch folks coming and going. You must remember the approximate time you went past, then check their website that evening for your photos to purchase. Of course I bought them!
The clouds were starting to build, decided on an "out and back," leaving the loop for another day. These passes look completely different in the opposite direction. 😂. And I wanted to check out the pink road.
Relive 'French Loop'
In fact, the painters were there as I took these shots! Satisfied with their work, they were more than happy to wave! Still wet, so I couldn't get to ride it. 😂
It is quite the sight, and I imagine looks spectacular on TV covered in bicycles.
Back to Italia!
On the ride back, Mia got the dreaded "LAMP!" message...front headlight bulb went. This seems to happen every other year...I carry spares protected in the underseat storage tube. Quick, easy change in the hotel garage.
Which was convenient because...
Dinner that night was excellent with a spectacular Nebbiolo from Piemonte, and a tour of their wine cellar.
Watch your head...
Molto bene!
Ciao!
Post Script
Regarding Zen and the rest of his bullshit...
I couldn't get through it when I was 20. Fifty years of life experience later, it is still BS, not even fit for "plane food." Judgmental, condescending, self-absorbed and, worst of all, BORING. These are the disjointed musings of a mental patient, post-electroshock, trying to make sense of his world. I simply do not know why I, or anyone, would look to such a person for insight, on anything.
I'll take my inspiration elsewhere, thank you.
If I'm being philosophical, it actually raises the question of why "we" embrace the crazy? Why are there cults? From the folks that embrace Persig and think this is some magical tomb...to Jim Jones, Hitler, MAGA, Trad Wives, PizzaGate, all organized religion, whatever. Why are people so reluctant (incapable?) to think for themselves?
At least I can just delete this drivel from the Kindle app, that will be very Zen for me, and appropriately inappropriate for the author.
And ride my own ride. That's the mantra for me.
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