Mont Revard
By Will • Mar 29th, 2011 • Category: Climbs, CyclingMont Revard has appeared three times in the Tour de France – first in 1965. Two mountain top finishes: 1965: won by Felice Gimondi, and 1972 won by Eddie Merckx
The route was simple: Starting at the train station in the old spa town of Aix-les-Bains – 21 kilometres uphill, and then 21 kilometres back down.
The climb starts immediately, but It takes just a couple of kms to climb through the town.
Details of the south side climb via Col de Plainpalais are here.
I love climbs with cycling kilometre markers. It means one is in cycling country.
It’s occasionally steep, but generally a very steady climb around the massif. Nearing the top is a small ski station (both Nordic and Alpine) – although almost all the snow is long gone.
At the top, there is a fantastic patio/restaurant looking over the cliff down to Aix-les-Bain, Lac du Bourget, and in the distance the redoubtable Mont du Chat.
In the other direction, Mont Blanc is usually viewable but not today:
It’s possible to cross the massif, making a loop by descending the south side down to Chambéry – and then a flattish ride back to Aix-les-Bains. But I didn’t feel motivated enough to navigate through the two cities.
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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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Good reading as ever. How many cols have you done this year already?
JB, thx, off to a good start with lower/smaller stuff due to warm weather.
I need to make my 2011 map soon to keep track