Col des Glières Loop – Video
By Will • Mar 19th, 2010 • Category: Climbs, Cycling, VideosAnother fantastic spring-times Alps loop. To be clear, this is not a road bike route as there is still plenty of snow on top – some pushing was required.
Starting in Roche-sur-Foron, we headed for the Gorges du Borne, but at the entrance, we took the super steep cliff road that runs parallel but above the main road (see map for turn off).
The route soon rejoins the main road – and then turns off to the right to climb the super steep road up to Plateau des Glières. See grade above, 6 kms averaging +11% and often far steeper. Ouch.
Video: Be patient, the downhill starts in 40 seconds.
Even in summer, it is not possible to cross Col des Glières on a road bike as there is a two km stretch that is a dirt/gravel road.
The warm weather meant this often icy stretch was clear, but there is still plenty of snow up top. The path was snow covered for a couple of kms at the top, we rode part of it but it was often too uphill, and soft to manage.
From the top, a fast descent (see video), before climbing to Col des Fleuries and back to the car.
A fantastic ride.
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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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Looks like a really fun ride. Great job with the video. Love it!
superbe!
une nouvelle fois, bravo au caméraman qui sera bel et bien prêt pour le TDF
fantastic
[...] the snow coming, see this link for a fantastic winter loop over Col des Glières. Bike route 731186 – powered by [...]
[...] This is one of my favourite winter Alpine loops. I usually do it in the opposite (clockwise) direction (up the east side of Col des Glières – details and video here). [...]