The grand tour of Lac d'Aubusson (circuit no. 18)

The lake itself only dates from 1990: an earth dam drowned the Couzon valley to give the Courpière area its leisure base. Today the beach flies the Pavillon Bleu (Blue Flag) and the water fills with paddleboards as soon as summer comes. This circuit, though, turns its back on the postcard.

The route runs through the hills and woods of the Livradois-Forez, links one hamlet after another, plunges into rutted descents and sends you up steep ramps that bite. The boulder field wakes up your forearms, the sharp climb finishes off your thighs. It is rated very difficult, and it has to be earned.

Our take: one for sharp legs, on dry ground if possible. You complete the 28 km, and the lake is right there for a recovery dip. The best sequence of the day.

Start at the Centre nature des 4 vents, with your wheels in the grass at the water's edge. The loop doesn't hang about: it climbs, plunges again, and you are soon heading for Le Mégain, Le Bertrix, then Loumas.

Then comes a descent that brings a smile, but keep your eyes open: ruts cut into the path and a small boulder field waits to round off the section. You recover at the lakeside, going almost all the way round it along the shore.

The respite is short. A sharp climb skirts Le Gât, reaches La Guétie, then Aubusson d'Auvergne. There comes the showpiece: nearly 115 metres of climbing swallowed up in less than a kilometre. Catching your breath, you get a fine glimpse out over the lake and its dam.

The route then drops back down by Le Bournélie before turning off towards Bardinaud. The path runs alongside the Bois de la Plaine as far as the hamlet of Lorille, cuts through it on the way back up, and drops you at the Chèvrerie de la Plaine before the return.

In total, nearly 28 kilometres with 670 metres of cumulative climbing. Allow about 3 hours in the saddle at a good pace. A real grand tour, best ridden on dry ground so you can enjoy the pick-ups without wheelspin.