jameso wrote:- Make Colle du Priet or Chialvetta-to-carry sections into Little Peru / Gardetta an either-or option or make Priet the main route? Also be more realistic about time and effort needed for the Chialvetta route and the Col des Peas carry. It was 45 mins or less of actual carrying at the top section of the Peas from my rose-tinted memory, honest. But the push to get there took a while..
I took the Preit road climb. I found it steep and narrow, and the number of cars squeezing past at speed got a bit tiresome. It was my least favourite of the road climbs and I thought I'd try the HAB option next year, to see how that compares. I'm in no doubt it'll be tougher, but it might be the more enjoyable despite (or because of) it. This time next year I should be in a better position to give an opinion on which is better :)
jameso wrote: - Take out minor track diversion toward end of Little Peru, the side trip nr Rocca Meja. Steep, and rough on descent for all but MTBs, lack of trail continuity. Stay on main track and just list it as a side-option. Or is this being soft?
We must have unintentionally missed the minor track diversion. We were on the main track from Gardetta and stopped to take photos by some ruined stone buildings, and there we realised there we were off course but also that carrying on would get us back on course sooner than backtracking. The way we went was really rather pleasant, and I'm not sad if that meant I missed out a steep technical climb and descent!
jameso wrote: - Checked OSM for correct road on descent to Verante (the Barter diversion). Revise GPS to show actual route there not a short path down the fall-line that Google seems to think is a road!
Loved the Verante fall line section! It was splendidly daft, especially on a gravel bike, and I somehow managed to cling on to the 29er full susser in our group (but only by leaving all sense at the top). We did wonder if it was intentional to go that way, and debated staying on the main track, clearly sign posted Verante, rather than go past the no entry sign, but I didn't regret that we did. Maybe the official route should keep to the main track, but I'd probably take the fall line track next year too.
jameso wrote:- Re-route through Limone Piemonte past supermarket and bars near main square/church (the Barter refuel). Currently follows road one street away in error – intent was to go directly past the supermarket.
We went into the centre and looked around anyway. We found the supermarket easily enough but no harm in having the route go straight past its front door.
jameso wrote:- Add Col Braus climb/descent on road as a quicker finish option, onto a d/h valley road to Nice – also the Col Brouis via Val Roya and Sospel to get there as a more road-orientated finish after the Tende options - would skip the Forca/Turini climb.
We followed the route and did the climb all the way to the old garrison (was that Forca?) on the way to Turini, but I thought I'd probably miss the last bit next year. The initial road climb was steep but rewarding, and the shallower gradient bit through the trees that followed was lovely, but there was then a 5-way junction where one option led straight to Turini (I think) that I thought I'd try next time rather than carry on up. (Though my view might be tainted by running out of water shortly after that junction).
jameso wrote:- Possibly remove the Madone de Gorbio climb from main route (the last ~200m rise near Nice). ie you'd crest the col Braus climb and know ‘that’s it, downhill all the way’? (As above).
The Madone de Gorbio was maybe one climb too many for me. Maybe it was the sight of the sea from the first right hander but I did just want to get to Nice at that point and have a beer!
jameso wrote:- What did you think of the climb up through the woods to the Col Braus from near Sospel?
That was fine. Memory tells me it was all rideable, even for me. But then my memory plays tricks on me. It was amusing to come out onto the road and up to the Col Braus sign where roadies were taking their pics and think "pah, you came up on tarmac".
jameso wrote:- End route at Café du Cycliste. There’s an incentive for getting there during opening hours next year.
Agree on ending the ride at Cafe du Cycliste. It was where I had my own finish line this year. True, it was a bit of an anti-climax once I was there, but if we were expected it could make it more special. Perhaps we should have a TNR brevit card with space for just two stamps, one from you in Turin and one from the Cafe in Nice :)
jameso wrote:- Revise estimated time from 3-7 to 4-10 days. Shorter route was ridden in 3.5 days during good weather this year but the full route at a more social pace could end up being 6-7 even for relatively fit and efficient riders.
I took my time getting to Nice, because I could, so arrived after most people had gone home. Had there been a date set for post-ride drinks or a mass meal like Turin I might have tried to harry myself along a bit more (and let myself take a shortcut or two). 10 days for the full route (ex HAB) was fairly comfortable for me, 8 days feasible - especially if more efficient. 6-7 for days for fitter/keener riders doesn't sound impossible. I'll maybe aim for 7 next year, but I'll miss out the Dronero loop as I fancy the sound of that steep siding valley descent instead!
.. Please keep it coming. No intention to mess with the route or format too much, just want to hear of everyone's experiences before starting any work on improving the route file accuracy, smoothing out a couple of wrinkles etc over the winter. 
