Col du Grand Cucheron
By Will • Apr 26th, 2007 • Category: Climbs, Cycling
Col du Grand Cucheron is at the entrance to the Maurienne Valley. This sparsely populated valley extends for perhaps 40 or 50 miles, with huge mountain ranges on either side. thus there are very few ways out of the valley, and it is the beginning of several of the greatest climbs in France.
Just before my exit, there was a road sign detailing the status of 7 Cols. Cucheron was open. Col du Galibier, Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine, Col de l’Iseran, Col de la Croix de Fer, Mont Cenise, ALL CLOSED - still plenty of snow around _ and how is that for a list of climbs!
Cucheron is just under 1,000 metres in climb. First time and not my favorite ride. About half way up, I ran into patches of fine gravel - this continued to the top - even a couple of signs warning cyclists to descend carefully. If I wasn’t half done, i would have turned back.
And yes, on the descent a flat tire. Until this road gets refinished, it is not for road bikes.
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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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Dear Will,
Even with plenty of mountains in Norway, me and my family plan to visit France again this summer to see TdF and to do some bicycling on our own.
Luckily I found your website, wich I find really great and very motivating.
How on earth do you find the time to be out biking so often and even keep your webpage updated ?
B.r
Frode Bergill
Hi thx for note
I have never had the good fortune to ride in Norway - but it must be beautiful.
Maybe I’ll see you at the Tdf this year
I’ll be wearing my silly King of the Mountains outfit climbing Col de la Colombiere - make sure to say hi if you are there. Regards
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