In late August 1997 I visited family in northern Italy and attended a friend's wedding near Evian, France. I joined the two events with a one-week bike tour from Milan to Evian and back.

On the way out I passed over St. Gotthardpass and Furkapass, and cycled down the valley of the Rhône and along Lac Léman. On the way back, I climbed the Grand and Petit St. Bernard, the Col de l'Iseran, and the Col du Mont Cenis, before heading home through the rice paddies of the Po valley.

The weather slowed me down a bit: I saw a lot of rain, experienced an amazing early-season snow storm on Furkapass, and decided to avoid Galibier and Montgenèvre due to forecasts of more snow. But it was a beautiful 1000Km ride, with fantastic scenery, great climbs, and little traffic.

You can look at the entire photo album if you wish.