Col de la Croisette
By Will • Jul 1st, 2006 • Category: Climbs, CyclingDespite having climbed many of the hardest and biggest routes in France, there is a climb that starts from my backyard that I have been scared to attempt.
Our new house is at the foot of a little mountain - Le Salève - that overlooks Geneva and blocks our view of Mont Blanc. It stands alone between the Alps to the South and the Juras to the north. There are five ways up and the direct route is STEEP. Its a short climb but four kms in the middle at 10.5%, 12%, 13%, and 12%. This is leg numbingly steep.
Starting from my house it is straight uphill for 400 metres past the little chapel .. there is a brief stretch at 18%. Then a few kms before the real climb starts. The entire route is on a nice quiet scenic road. It was pretty hot , but I felt pretty good as the steep part started. I found my pace and just kept turning the pedals. Full of crazy hairpins, it made me laugh it is so steep. I even needed a new darker red for my Grade maps - I change the colour every 3% - and I haven’t made a grade map with a full kilometre averaging 12% or higher. Let alone 3 consecutive kilometres!
Super views of the city and lake of Geneva. A piece of Apricot pie and almostly intantly back home. Good fun.
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Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2008 Challenge is to (again) cycle 160,000 metres of vertical ascent.
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