Five Big Cycling Climbs - A To-Do List
By Will • Jan 18th, 2008 • Category: Cycling, ReviewsWinter is for dreaming.
There aren’t that many cycling climbs in the French Alps over 2,000 metres. Here are five great climbs all over 2,000 metres that to-date I have not yet cycled. Four are rated Hors Categorie (Outside Category) by the Tour de France - the hardest rating.
This post is really just another 2008 “To-Do” list for me. Now that I have a map - no excuses
If you zoom the map or click the link at bottom left, you can see each route.
View Larger Map View in Google Earth
#1 - Col de Granon
Summit: 2,404 metres (7,890 feet)
The Climb: 16.5 kms (10.3 miles); Ascent: 1,120 metres (3,675 feet);
A couple of year’s back Le Cycle magazine published it’s list of the 30 most beautiful cycling climbs in France. 18 were in the Alps. I have done 17. Col de Granon is the missing climb - as you can see it is very steep.
Situated near Briancon, I once stayed at the base of the climb but was on my way to cycle Col d’Izoard. Painful to pass this by.
Tour de France: Rated Hors Categorie, this climb has appeared only once in 1986, stage 17.
#2 - Col Agnel
Summit: 2,744 metres (9,005 feet)
The Climb: 25 kms (15.5 miles); Ascent: 1,450 metres (4,760 feet);
This is an absolutely giant climb. The second highest pass (only 26 metres lower than Col de l’Iseran and third highest road in France (only 58 metres lower than the Cime de la Bonette). The top is the French/Italian border. This will be epic.
Tour de France: As best I can tell this has never appeared in the Tour - possibly because until recently is was very poorly surfaced. But it would clearly be rated Hors Categorie
#3 - Val Thorens
Summit: 2,404 metres (7,680 feet)
The Climb: 38.2 kms (23.7 miles); Ascent: 2,000 metres (6,560 feet)
This is another giant climb. There are very few climbs as long or with as much ascent in Europe. This could take close to three hours. Part of the world famous Trois Vallées ski area (Courchevel, Méribel, etc), I have skied at Val Thorens.
Tour de France: Rated Hors Categorie, this climb has appeared only once in 1994, stage 17.
#4 - Col de la Madeleine - North Side
Summit: 1,993 metres (6,540 feet)
The Climb: 26.5 kms (16.5 miles); Ascent: 1,610 metres (5,280 feet)
OK, at 1,993 metres, this climb is not quite 2,000. Although the sign at the top proudly rounds up to 2,000 metres, so why can’t I? I have climbed the South side of Madeleine, but forgot a camera that day - So I have unfinished business (I need a photo of the Col sign).
Tour de France: Rated Hors Categorie, this climb has appeared 22 times, most recently in 2005, stage 11.
#5 - Col du Mont Cenis - North Side
Summit: 2,100 metres (6,890 feet)
The Climb: 14.8 kms (9.2 miles); Ascent: 770 metres (2,525 feet)
Starting at the same point as the South side of Col de l’Iseran, this relatively short climb ends beside a large alpine lake, just short of the Italian border - so I’ll likely descend into Italy and climb the other side too.
(note - there is a Col de Cenise near Geneva which is also a great ride).
Tour de France: Rated 1st Categorie (Hors Categorie on other side), this climb has appeared 5 times, most recently in 1999, although for this side 1992
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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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all this sounds very interesting….
dreaming about summer gives a good reason to train/prepare harder now…
Will,
#3 should definitely make the Tour. Sounds gigantic!