Congratulations on overcoming many challenges...the Furkapass (very inspiring) and the travel surprises - pedals (a slight hiccup), as well as the few bouts of rain. I could just hear you as you are summitting Furkapass, "My name is Parno, Pat Parno." The new James Bond!

Great picture, Marjory, of the 2 AM moonlight. How can you both stay awake that late???

Got it today. It must have been my internet connection.

Bill, I can't get that link to open? I may need to sign up to the site...but yes, we saw it quite commonly here.

We actually have a 2nd night here. A day off, and a really gorgeous place. M actually suggested we cancel Yvoire, and stay another night here. I told her that we couldn't afford it!

Great views and great photos, and your weather looks spectacular! Looks like tomorrow you will be going through Thonon-les-Bains. We started the Route des Grandes Alpes from Thonon-les-Bains, and on another trip we went through Geneva and Thonon from the Jura mountains. We tried to go to CERN in Geneva, but it was closed back then for renovations. Have fun there.

Nice shot of mistletoe.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/57512-Viscum-album/browse_photos?place_id=6753

Wow, that col looks awesome. Amazing to think they have done it 4 times in Le Tour! I am sure that makes it special when you see them do it. We really cannot complain about the weather, as I only biked that first day (the Furka) while it was raining, and since then, leaving later in the day has worked out well. And now, the weather is fabulous! Marjory says hello, btw....snow yet in Canmore?

Thanks for doing a blog again this year Patrick. Great scenery so far by the looks of things. We have enjoyed riding in the area previously. We finished a France/Italy tour in Orsieres (up the road from Martigny), having ridden over the Col de Grand-Saint-Bernard from the Aosta valley in Italy. There were some sketchy bits coming down from the pass, as we had to share the avalanche tunnels with the cars. John conveniently omitted to mention this detail from the route description as I, like Marjory, do not enjoy riding with the cars and trucks.
I'm glad the weather is improving for you. Happy cycling!

honestly I could have gone back, as we were fighting this headwind. So turning around, 15 km would have gone quickly. However, explaining this all to the wife....

Good work on the hotel switch … had a good chuckle when I read that.

you are right!

I might have to do that, Mike. I have stayed away as I do need to remove it in 4 weeks, but I could probably fit the bike in the box with just one pedal off.

You could try some Loctite on the threads.

What a gorgeous place. And I have to admire your courage - hairpin turns/switchbacks with sheer drops are not my thing - even in a car! At least on a bike you could ride on the other side of the road during the "white knuckle" sections of road.

Furka was the first major climb we did and the most memorable for us. What a great idea - go up and over unloaded and a train ride back. We went up the Stelvio unloaded and road back to our hotel. I don’t think we could have done Stelvio loaded. Have a great trip!