My cycling vacation in the Alps started today. I could not really fathom what I was getting myself into in terms of the physical endurance that would be needed. What I knew was that spectacular vistas in the Alps awaited me and I wanted to try bicycling them. I found accommodation at the very nice cycling friendly Chalet Michelle in the beautiful village of Venosc near Borg d'Oisans the cycling mecca of the Alps. My flight landed at Lyon, France past midnight and stayed at a nondescript Airport hotel for the night. The next morning I drove the rented car to Venosc and arrived at breakfast time at the Chalet. The Chalet is at 3,500 ft at the end of 6 hairpins on the slopes of Duex Alps ski mountain. This also meant that I have to climb up to the Chalet after my rides. I had a spectacular room overlooking a substantial waterfall on the snow capped Col. Muzelle. I could also see from my room the cable car that went up and down Duex Alps, taking hikers, and bikers in gondolas. I had previously chosen a shorter ride for the 1st day to try out my rented bike and the capacity of my legs! I rented a bike at Borg d'Oisans and rode past the turn off to the Venosc village towards St. Christophe. The road took me uphill sharply through spectacular river banks and hydro electric power stations to St Christophe village and to La Berard, a mountain climbers paradise. The road simply ended there with a small village serving the needs of hikers and bicyclists. There were several good restaurants, and I had a very good lunch. It was a very warm day and I was looking forward to the downhill run for the way back. It did not disappoint. At the river crossing, I stopped to dip my feet in the cold glacial water and talk for a few minutes to Helga who was building a small dam on the meandering river with rocks! It was refreshing and I was reenergized to make it bak up the 6 hairpins back to Chalet Michelle. It was a confidence-boosting first of day riding in the Alps.