Annecy to Col de la Forclaz

The girls wanted to spend the afternoon sightseeing and shopping in Annecy.  Haute Transfer (http://www.hautetransfer.com/) made the trip effortless and worry-free for them.  With that being done I had some time on my hands to enjoy a nice ride.  I was lucky enough to have Charlie working the trip, so when I caught wind of that I told him he needed to bring his bike so we could ride Forclaz together. 

To clarify, there are two different Col de la Forclaz, the one between Chamonix and Martigny, and this one in Annecy.  In the 2009 Tour de France, Annecy played host to Stage 18, a time trial around the lake.  Col de la Forclaz has been a climb on many stages of the Tour throughout the years as well.

Leaving from Annecy is beautiful.  I had been here once before, years ago but only for a few hours.  As I rode along the lake I'm reminded why the Tucker and Verhaaren families are so fond of this place.  We set out along Annecy next to the lake.  It was a nice, yet warm day (in the 90's).  The park and the beaches along the lake were crowded, and I'd soon get a reminder of the heat again.

The path was nice and relaxing, but after a couple miles I wanted to get on with the ride, enough of the traffic-calming measures.

Just prior to the turn up the climb I quickly recognized the paragliding school and landing-zone where I flew years ago.  Not a single thermal that morning back then, but one of the best flights in my life.  Many wings and pilots can be seen in the distance, with one paraglider seconds from landing.

We've taken care of the beginning of the climb already, but when you see racers names painted on the road you know something good must lie ahead.  At this point we're 6 miles into the ride, and 2 miles into the climb.  Let the fun begin!

Certainly a beautiful overlook, but I have to admit I took most of these photos on the way down, not the way up.  The better the view, the steeper the climb, and I was in no mood to fiddle with the camera while trying to climb.

Charlie and I rode next to each other most of the ride.  We were chatting at first, then eventually as the rode got steeper, and I became shorter of breath, I also became more quiet.  With a couple miles to go Charlie started pulling away.  I wasn't trying to beat him up the hill, but I did want to keep him in view.  Later on after we finished I told him I was ready for him to stop for a break at any time but I wasn't about to ask for it.  Then when by the time he made a corner and disappeared from my sight I contemplated a break, but passed on the idea when I realized I had less than a mile to go. 

Once at the top we were met by a young cyclist from Netherlands, on holiday with his family.  Joram Bosker came up Forclaz from the other side of the road.  I told him how crazy the Dutch are and how they were the loudest cheering section of the Alpe d'Huez the previous year.  He didn't argue the point.

Charlie and I in front of the monument before descending.

Another great spot for paragliding.

While the ride was an enjoyable 24 miles, the climb is only 10 miles of it.  The easiest of it at 2.0% and the hardest at 12.6%, with an average in the low 6%.  One of the most beautiful climbs I've done!

Giétroz et Finhaut

The Road Less Traveled
The climb to Giétroz is the toughest mile I can ever recall doing.  I did it last year on my way to Emosson, until I realized it was not the regular route., and now I fully understand why.  MapMyRide says 12% grade, but locals claim 14%.  I tend to believe the locals.  MapMyRide has ben wrong compared to The Tour on some climbs and this felt much harder than other 12% climbs.  Fortunately it was just over a mile, but that sure does wipe you out.

	Distance			Elevation		Grade
Cat	Start	End	Length	Min	Max	Avg.	Max
	0.00 mi	1.10 mi	1.10 mi	3,212 ft	3,922 ft	12.2%	--

In retrospect it seems that 8 miles @ 8% is more manageable than 1.2 miles at 12%. 

These 3 switchbacks were fun.  They always look worse then they are.  Switchbacks actually give a chance to change things up.  If you need a breather then take the outside where it evens out the grade, or take the inside for a quicker initial pace before the pace pitches up again.  I still get a kick out of remembering watching a compact car need to do a 3-point turn to make it through.

Finhaut is quaint little town on the hillside where getting from one side to the other also requires a little climbing. 

Lac d'Emosson with Jan

Another beautiful day to ride in the Alps.  I opted for Emosson to see how my legs were feeling.  I made sure to spin on the approach to Montets, then not to hard up Montets.  I summited in good time still, a sign to me I should be alright on Emosson.  At the top of Col des Montets I met a gent climbing from the other side.  A snapped a photo of him then we chatted for a minute.  It was his final ride prior to "Etape" (French for "Stage".  They open up one of the stages of The Tour the morning of the race, just the same as Warriors at Tour of Utah. 

As I got back on my bike to continue I met Jan.  It turns out Jan was also getting in his last good ride before "Etape".  Jan is new to the sport.  3 months ago he signed up for l'Etape, then decided he should probably get a bike and get in shape for it.  I like your style Jan!

Jan and I chatted all the way up Emosson.  I may have talked his ear off, but time passed quick and before I knew it we were nearly to the top.

A few moments to relax and chat overlooking the lake and dam.  With the weather today we finished above cloudbase.  Fun descending and watching the others dissapear down through the clouds.

We had different routes back, so once we reached the dam I wished him well in his first race...Stage 8 of the 2012 TDF.

Stats
Distance: 40 miles
Time:       3 hours
Climb:     5,394 feet

Climb Information

	Distance			Elevation		Grade
Cat	Start	End	Length	Min	Max	Avg.	Max
	2.59 mi	4.29 mi	1.71 mi	3,547 ft	3,909 ft	4.0%	--
	5.00 mi	7.72 mi	2.71 mi	3,990 ft	4,712 ft	5.0%	--
	13.49 mi	19.85 mi	6.36 mi	3,526 ft	6,286 ft	8.2%	--
	26.73 mi	32.14 mi	5.41 mi	3,536 ft	4,718 ft	4.1%	--

Lac d'Emosson (alternate route)

I decided to tackle Emosson again, twice to be precise.  After talking to some friends I learned that my first time up I took the road less travelled.  (Leave it to me to find it.)  Rather than the super steep switchbacks in the beginning, followed by the walking the planks over the nonexistent road at the entrance to Finhaut, this route has nice sweeping and more consistent climbs on the approach.  Of course both routes meet up at the top of Finaut and follow the same great climb to the top of Lac d'Emosson. 

Sign marking turn

Short tunnel.  Note the road peeking through the trees in the background.

River below the bridge

Town of Finhaut, built on a hillside. 

Finhaut

Somebody parked my dream car, Austin Heeley. under the overpass.  Had to stop and look. 

When in doubt take the road that leads up.

Climbing to Emosson shows a great view across the valley.  At te bottom of the road (not in picture) is where you turn off to Emosson.  That road is the climb up Forclaz, another great ride.

My little Orbea held up.  Still no problems with the machine, just the engine.

Lac d'Emosson

The way home.  Mont-Blanc is the smooth peak set back on the right-side. 

Looking down on Finhaut from Emosson

My favorite switchback on the route.  Figured if it was worth repeating on the bike then so was the photo.

Stream running along the route as you get closer back to Chamonix.

Last downhill descending Col des Montets towards Chamonix.  Mont-Blanc and the glacier make for an incredible backdrop on a great descent.

• 40 miles (RT)
• 5,400 feet of climbing total
• Final climb
• 6.36 miles @ 8.2% (per MapmyRide)
• Starts at 6%, finishes at 10.7%
• HC - Yes, just found out it's ranked

My first time doing this (alternate) route I did 3:15 (RT) riding time with a 30 min. break at the top to catch up on emails for work.  Earlier this week I did it again.  This time kept the camera in my pocket, and stopped at the top only long enough to put on a jacket.  Got it down to 3:05, trying to save a little energy for later.  And to think we do 40-miles back home in 2 hours.

-ML