Stage 11 of the 2012 Tour de France is the one big Alps stage this year. With two of the hardest climbs in the Tour – Madeleine and Glandon/Croix de Fer as well as an 18 km final climb to La Toussuire — this will be fun.
Author: Will
Will
Happiest while cycling uphill.
I decided to visit an old friend. I love this climb.
Le Mole is the distinctive stand-alone triangle shaped mountain about 20 kms south of Geneva near Cluses dominating the autoroute to Chamonix.
The Col is at 1450 metres. I certainly found it, but there was no sign to be found. The road continues above the Col for three more steep kms before become a gravel path.
Just for fun, a video preview of stage 10 including Col du Grand Colombier and Col de Richemond.
Saturday morning Doreen and I cycled Col des Glières on another special bike-only day.
I’ve cycled the north side of Madeleine a couple of times, but never tried the steep little side road part way up that goes to to Lachat.
Sunday was car-free day @ Col des Aravis. Best part of the climb? The cheese tasting a kilometre from the col.
Cycle the Alps Traffic-Free: Here’s How
I had been thinking about this project, ever since Philippe, Xavier, and I watched the sunrise up Mont Ventoux