Col de la Ramaz

 Thirty five miles of endurance cycling from Samoens to the Col de Ramaz and back. 

We headed up the sunshine slopes from the small town of Tangines round tight hairpin bends full of wild flowers and sounds of Cowbells gently grazing.

We passed tiny hamlets with quaint Alpine buildings and through forests and gushing waterfalls.

The views promised Mont Blanc and it's massif, we also spied an emerald lake and I was sure 'The Dru'.
The cycling was superb with quiet roads and barely any traffic, listening to the sound of birdsong as I slowly turned the peddle and watching the buzzards hoover above.

A little problem of a heavy rain shower didn't deter, finding  shelter in the ski village of Praz de lys and a welcome break. I studied the map and thought it's not far now, so when the rain stopped, back on the bikes and a nice flat plateau to cycle.

We reached this viewpoint and I thought 'just round the corner now' But no, can you just make it out the long stretching road above trees, well that's near the top and where we are heading.

Up above the village of Praz de Lys ( I think this translates to meadows of lilies) 

In the very distance is the mighty Mont Blanc.

Slowly peddling the last kilometre what did I spy? it begins with M and is cute, shy  and furry 

Marmottes

Nearly there, the last pull up, and what a view behind, this is what it's all about

 The top of  Col de la Ramaz, what a fantastic cycle ride, with stunning scenery passing by.

And what goes up must go down, all the way to the bakery at the bottom for a well earned Strawberry delicious tart, Number One Art Critic couldn't wait for the camera