Now this is the one! Over the weekend I was looking on the internet for my next ride. I found a detour after the Col des Montets that got me significantly more altitude than Col de la Forclaz so I was intrigued. It also took me up through a quaint little town I had only seen in the distance. (Remember the small town across the valley and on the hillside in the distance from previous rides?) The map showed a good climb up to the lake so time to tackle it.
For all the Brumbys back home, if you want some real climbing, this is what I always imagined climbing in Europe to be like...
This is the first climb leaving town before I even start Col des Montets. This is the one that registers as a Cat 1, 3.8 miles @ 9%, but I have to say it doesn't feel that bad.
This was pretty neat. Notice half the road is a tunnel halfway under the mountain. This portion of the road is 2 lanes each direction. In the summer they close the tunnel, but in the winter they close the other half the road (no explanation needed). So in the summer the cyclists get the (short) tunnel all to themselves.
Climbing through Argentiere (next 2 photos). Not too long, but a nice incline to get you started. (est. mile marker 5-6)
A nice view rounding one of the corners climbing up Col des Montets. Note the glacier on the left of the picture. (est. mile marker 6.5)
First detour off the beaten path. This time as I crossed the border into Switzerland I was stopped by customs and immigration. It was really only because I was right behind a truck that stopped, otherwise they probably would've waved me on. They asked where I was going, didn't seem to care much, and wished me luck. Made me think I might want to carry my passport just in case though. Hate to see something like that get in the way of a good ride. (est. mile marker 5-6)*** Alright gang, the pictures you're about to see are not trick photography. No leaning to change the angle and make it look worse. What you see is what you get. Enjoy! ***
About 12 miles in is when it starts to get serious. I was thanking my lucky stars that when I was back home packing my bike I decided to switch out my cassette for the original one that came with the grouppo. You know the feeling when you see the road curve out of sight so you decide to stand on it to that point? (est. mile marker 12)
And how about the feeling when you get to that point and find out you were just getting started?
...and more
...and just a little more for good measure. (est. mile marker 13)
Do you see the shoulder and guardrail? Well at least the view is unobstructed.
I learned why there was a roadblock several miles before that I rode past. The main street in the town was ripped up. The workers smiled at me and graciously allowed me to walk the planks.
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| Eat your heart out. |
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| Almost there |
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| Dodge the tour buses, stay away from the edge, and still keep pedaling. |
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| At the dam (courtesy of some Finish tourist) |
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| Jacket on, time for the downhill |
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| Not sure the purpose of this guardrail. |
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| No time for a Cialis moment. |
This was short, but tough (on the way up). One of those where you had to be careful not to let your front wheel keep coming off the pavement.
Take a look at the car just a few feet below.
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| Safely home. |
3413 ft Start Elev 6480.0 ft Max Elev 5892.0 ft Gain
| Distance | Elevation | Grade | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat | Start | End | Length | Min | Max | Avg. | Max |
 | 0.34 mi | 4.20 mi | 3.86 mi | 3,450 ft | 5,352 ft | 9.3% | -- |
 | 11.84 mi | 13.68 mi | 1.84 mi | 3,736 ft | 4,347 ft | 6.3% | -- |
| | 14.60 mi | 19.46 mi | 4.86 mi | 4,190 ft | 6,303 ft | 8.2% | -- |
 | 24.28 mi | 25.32 mi | 1.03 mi | 4,191 ft | 4,346 ft | 2.8% | -- |
 | 27.18 mi | 31.40 mi | 4.21 mi | 3,737 ft | 4,722 ft | 4.4% | -- |
Be careful about the stats. Don't see them as accurate. The first miles are less than 6%, the second climb is well over 10%, and the last climb is considered a solid 6 miles @ 10% per the locals. A little flavor for it nonetheless.
-ML
