Mont du Chat
Quiet
Giant
13.5 kms; 1,270 metres ascent; Start:
Le Bourget-du-Lac
17.9 kms 1,290 metres ascent:
Start: Yenne
Last Climbed:
May 2007
Map of Route
Think of that really short steep stretch on your local ride that you hate because it’s just a bit too hard. Now imagine it’s 13 kms long.I have had my eye on Mont du Chat for a couple of years. But partly due to fear, and partly because it is not a famous Tour de France climb (it appeared only once in 1974 when Poulidor dropped 5x champion Merckx going up only to be caught on the descent), I have avoided it. But it was recently included by a French magazine on its list of the best climbs in France. Thus it was time to try.
From the magazine. Quote (loosely translated): “At the South-West of Lake Bourget Mont du Chat (Cat Mountain) is one of the most redoubtable climbs in France with terrifying steepness …” Blog Entry - Classic East Side - It is hard! Averaging just under 10% for 13 kms with one stretch of 300 metres at 13%. Probably the hardest I have climbed this year. But it is a fantastic ride. It starts very low (250 metres) beside beautiful Lac (lake) du Bourget and finishes at about 1,500 metres. Because it starts so low, unlike most big climbs, it is forested the whole ride. (many big alp climbs get well above the tree-line). The road has hardly any traffic as there is nothing up top except a TV/communication tower and a great view of the Lake and the Alps.Plummeting down the other side, I wasn’t certain of my route back - although I was trying to follow a sign posted bike trail. The other side is nothing but immaculate little quiet french villages - great riding. I soon realized that returning would require some more climbing over the - much easier and much lower - Col de Chat. I had three water bottles and they were all empty as it was hot work. But after the Col it was all downhill to the lake and car. Great ride.
Blog Entry West SideCycle Magazine July 2007 called Mont du Chat the hardest climb in France. Not sure I totally agree, but this car-free monster is a fantastic ride. I highly recommend the loop in the map below that includes the smaller Col du Chat and its great views of the lake.
