Brumby Abroad: Col de la Forclaz (Martigny)

Last year when I attempted Forclaz from Martigny I was not in the best of shape, the temperature was in the mid-90's. I was spent pretty quick making the climb long and slow. This year I'm a little better prepared. The ride hit a high of 82 degrees (f) earlier on, but only in the 70's on the tough-side of Forclaz. This time I was ready for it. Not in the best of shape, but alright. Paced myself at a steady 7mph and enjoyed the ride. I only passed 4 other cyclists on the way up. A pair mountain biking near the bottom of the climb, then another pair loaded for touring about halfway up. Can't help but think what the pros must climb it at - double the pace at 14 mph?

At the top of Col de la Forclaz coming up from Chamonix about to start the 8-mile descent. The clouds are thick on the side of the mountain, but just whisping over the restaurant at the top.

1.5 miles down I stopped at a switchback overlooking Martigny. On the two switchbacks near the top are vendors selling apricots grown at a nearby farm.

This is the beginning of the climb. The city of Martigny is off-frame, to the right. The climb starts to the right , then the first switchback to the right as the road dissapears into the treeline. That covers about 1.5 miles of the 8 mile climb. This first portion is beautiful with vineyards on both sides of the road covering every inch of the steeply sloped mountainside.