LOGO
Col de la Croix    LOGO    LOGO

La Grand Bo Cyclosportive 2008

By Will • Jun 29th, 2008 • Category: Climbs, Cycling, Cyclosportives
Elevation profile la grand bo

My fourth cyclosportive this June (versus only three the previous 42 years).

I don’t think I am getting faster. But at least the pain is less of a surprise.

Starting from the very scenic ski station of Le Grand Bornand, this was a beautiful and challenging 120 kilometre course, with +2700 metres of vertical ascent (+9000 feet).

Martin joined me for this adventure. Barry managed to register but struggled from that point on.

La Grand Bo:  Col de la Colombiere

Four climbs starting with the easier side of Col de la Croix Fry. A nice appetizer.

Then a long pleasant stretch including Col des Fleuries. And then things got hard.

First, a 500 metre climb up to Mont Saxonnex through a stunning gorge on nice shaded roads - but incredibly steep. Then, up Col de la Colombiere (not again!). Ouch those last three kilometres never get easier.

Unfortunately, not many good photos today - I was trying to pedal. So instead, a poorly edited, badly designed video, shoddy camera work and all. Oh, and sorry for saying “tired” so often. :)

croixfryeast.jpg

Tagged as: , , ,


Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2008 Challenge is to (again) cycle 160,000 metres of vertical ascent.
Email this author | All posts by Will

6 Responses »

  1. I am filled with envy! What a beautiful ride–you will be totally prepared for the Tour d’Enfer. The cyclosportifs are fun and I am glad that you are taking advantage of them now.

  2. This was the third year we did La Grand Bo. The organisers reversed the route this year, which I think made it quite considerably harder. Also. I’m less fit and a lot heavier than in previous years. The ride is fantastic, although the Colombierre is, as you say, a hell of a climb.

    Lee

  3. You sure are doing some fantastic rides of late, but I think it would take me about 8-10 hours to finish that course. Am I right that you did it in 5:47?

    I also know what you mean about the pain being less of a surprise….i guess a large part of performing well in these type of rides is mental.

  4. yes that time sounds right. My one complaint in these events is that I descend so slowly that I always pass certain people several times - I am a coward going downhill!

    On the big descent I passed zero people and was passed by roughly 60 - luckily I am not competitive :)

  5. Will… great as always. Congrats on the ride… and video. I love the TIRED part… it really gets the viewer on the hills with you. I can relate! I was going to take a little camera with me on the Blood ,Sweat and Gears ride but it wasn’t mine and I was worried I would get it wet. Then, it never rained. Go figure.

  6. [...] that I have completed (La Montagnarde, Time-Megeve, La Morzine Vallée d’Aulps, La Grand Bo, and La Marmotte). I am no racer but participating in these long, mountain events has been [...]

Leave a Reply