Col du Sabot
By Will • Aug 19th, 2010 • Category: Climbs, CyclingCol du Sabot starts just a few kilometres from Alpe d’Huez. But it’s higher, harder, prettier, and has a fraction of the traffic. On the downside? Beware of gangs of sheep.
Cyclotourists flock to Alpe d’Huez and the Route des Grande Alpes often forgetting that there are many other interesting choices.
Sabot is hard work. Throughout, there are some very steep stretches on this beautiful route.
The first few kilometres climb to Vaujany – a small ski station. A couple of kilometres after Vaujany the route surface becomes fairly mediocre. It’s just a little single lane road – but it’s definitely fine on a road bike. Just descend prudently.
But this top part is certainly the best part. Wonderful hairpins, mountains everywhere, great views.
Hairpins above Vaujany:
Higher hairpins:
At the Col, you can see over the other side. Wonderful views of the route to Col de la Croix de Fer and the dam Lac de Grand Maison.
From Vaujany there is another climb to Collet – I have added it to the map. The top is 1705 metres, with about 4.5 kms @ 10% from the village. See the Bastien’s web site for great photos and more details.
After eating and taking a couple of photos at the top, a horde of sheep decided to block the road down. Note, the photo is not from the road …. I walked across some rocks to avoid these evil devils.
The ring leader:
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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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Bravo ! J’adore le col du Sabot. C’est surpeuplé là haut !!
Evil devils?!? Hahahaha
Baaaaaaaa
wow! nice one (ok, i’m two years late)
Nice! Looks good!
What a fantastic ride! With spectacular views all the up and a stunning view of Mont Blanc greets you at the top.
Going down is a lot of fun as you hurtle towards the village Vaujany, where I recommend
stopping and having a burger! Delicious, then you can continue down hundreds of vertical meters to reach the valley floor and Allemont.
There is a charming chalet named Saskia run by SkiPeak in Vaujany that I would highly recommend in fact I am here right now having just finished the aloe d’huez hairpins, nice to come back to luxury!!
Another perk with skipeak is that staff will pick up cyclists after a lon ride or drop then off at a start and with a rather swanky bike trailer they can easily ferry groups of cyclists to their desired destination brilliant!
(http://www.skipeak.co.uk/)