Col de Portes and Col de Ballon
By Will • Jun 22nd, 2009 • Category: Climbs, Cycling, JurasAt the top of Col de Portes is another Chartreuse monastery. I passed some friendly monks along the route who kindly cheered me on:
Another couple of great – virtually car free – climbs in the Jura mountains.
In the shadows of their much steeper Jura neighbours: Mont Chat and Col du Grand Colombier, these two climbs are less steep but definitely worthwhile.
Don’t confuse these two climbs with their similarly named, but more famous cousins: Col de Port (Pyrenees) – details, Col de Porte (Grenoble) – details, and the Col du Ballon d’Alsace (Vosges) – details.
While both only about 1000 metres …. the starting points are low enough to make these – not too steep climbs – still fairly significant. And on deserted scenic roads …. just very pleasant.
Each col is atop a massif – and they are separated by a beautiful gorge.
View of start of Col de Portes climb from the descent of Col de Ballon:
There are at least 4 quiet road bike routes up to col de Porte. Start town ideas; Tenay, Lagnieu, Serrieres de Briord, La Vachat
If you like deserted cycling, on beautiful but not too steep roads – here you go.
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Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2013 Challenge is to cycle a 150 Cols (mountain passes), slowly -- and to just enjoy.
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