Col du Glandon (and Croix de Fer)
By Will • Aug 22nd, 2009 • Category: Climbs, Cycling
This weekend is our 12th wedding anniversary. As a gift, Doreen offered me car support on the hors categorie climb of my choice – bum pushes, water bottle service, photographer, etc. And she even chalked messages all over the road for me.
A really fun day. Col du Glandon is a favourite of mine. Especially the last 2 crazy kilometres (see photo above).
I was truly spoiled today, with all of Doreen’s support. Psychologically not having to carry two full bottles (along with the guy a couple of hundreds metres behind me) meant that I worked very hard.
Doreen snapped photos and cheered me on the whole way …. and she kept surprising me with chalked messages (it’s my college nickname):
After Glandon, it’s just two and a half easy kilometres up to Col de la Croix de Fer – and the end of a fun uphill time trial.
A slideshow of the day:
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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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Well done, Chilly! As said, I was really impressed with your effort & speed.
What with doing my painting and getting the camera ready, I was kept busy the whole time and it seemed I never had to wait…just a few seconds and there you came, storming around the next bend! Ok, ok…I know it’s a ridiculous statement but honestly I felt really busy!!
You’re my cycling god.
Love, Doreen
Well done – both of you! Happy anniversary.
Will, Very Nice! What are you getting her?
Pete
Quelles “noces de soie” !!
bravo Will pour cette montée, les photos donnent vraiment envie, malgré la difficulté…
Beau col HC; félicitations au modèle mais aussi à la photographe, “caméraman”, ravitailleuse, graffiteuse, supportrice et j’en oublie certainement… et bon anniversaire !
As a married man myself I know that 12 years of marriage is a great performance (I’m not there yet) and that there is no way back anymore (why would you guys anyway???). Maybe you should re-name “cycling challenge” into “marriage challenge”
Will, celebrating this with the support of Doreen on top of Glandon/Croix de Fer must have been the pefect day. You 2 are sweet together!
Eric
Merci les gars!
Pete – my wife’s gift involved relaxation and spas – vs climbing mountains
Will: With your name now etched on the road I believe this officially elevates your status to a cycling legend! I hopefully can check on the art work next week.
Overall, another great edition to a fabulous website!
[...] Galibier, Gavia, Tourmalet, Alpe d’Huez, Stelvio, Finestre, Madeleine, Iseran, Mortirolo, Glandon, GrossGlockner, Zoncolan, Angliru, [...]
[...] This is my favourite way up. Col du Glandon is on the shoulder of the Croix de Fer route. It is a 19.9 kilometre climb to Glandon. After a short 200 metre descent, the road joins the west side of Croix de Fer for the final 2.5 kilometres. More details here. [...]