Col du Clergeon and Col du Sapenay
By Will • Jan 23rd, 2008 • Category: Climbs, Cycling, Juras
Mountain Math: One Medium climb + One Medium Climb = One Big Climb
Another great ride in the Jura mountains without a single car passing in either direction. Although both these climbs summit below 1,000 metres, they start low down in the Rhone River valley, and are fairly challenging.
This is a great area for cycling with bike lanes when necessary, lots of signed routes, beautiful climbs at every turn and to top it off lots of signs asking cars to give cyclists room.
Col du Clergeon:
The Climbs: 9.5 kms (5.9 miles) Ascent: 750 metres (2,460 feet)
A scenic winding climb with views of the Jura giant Col du Grand Colombier for most of the route. At the top, the Alps suddenly appear. Two middle kilometres average a very steep 10.5% and a few stretches are much steeper. I was using a hybrid in case of snow, and although this climb could easily be done with a road bike – the surface is a bit lousy in some of the middle stretches leading to a bumpy descent.
Col du Sapenay:
The Climbs: 9.4 kms (5.8 miles) Ascent: 650 metres (2,130 feet)
A little bit easier, also winds up through wooded roads with occasional views of Lac du Bourget (biggest lake in france) and perhaps my favorite climb the epic Mont du Chat in the background.
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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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I love the “give cyclists room” sign. We need those exact signs here in the states! We have some “Share The Road” signs but I like how the one you show describes giving cyclists room.
The road up Col du Sapenay looks great… I know you said no cars… but did you see any other cyclists out?
Hi Donald,
No cars, no cyclists, no dogs, no-one.
Just how I like it!
[...] for this, but it’s definitely the easier side of Sapenay (the steeper west side is profiled here). More great lake views during the descent of Sapenay brought me back to the [...]