Here is a preview of stage six of the upcoming July 2008 Lost Boys Tour d’Enfer.
A trip organized by my friend Leslie that will include people from the USA, Canada, France, Turkey, Germany, and Switzerland.
All 2008 Tour d’Enfer Previews can be found here.
Today we head for the South French Alps over two beautiful climbs – Col d’Izoard and Col de Vars. I am really looking forward to this stage, especially riding through the legendary Casse Deserte atop Izoard.
Day 6: Col d’Izoard and Col de Vars
The Stage: Approximately 97 kilometres (60 miles); Ascent: 2,500 metres (8,200 feet)
Both Climbs are in Le Cycle Magazine’s list of the 30 most beautiful climbs in France. The route follows the BLUE track on the map. The red route is an optional extra explained below.
Col d’Izoard
Summit: 2,360 metres (7,740 feet)
The Climb (from Briancon): 19.6 kms (12.2 miles); Ascent: 1,200 metres (3,940 feet);
Izoard is certainly one of the true legendary Tour de France climbs, first appearing in 1922, and dozens of times since.
Izoard is perhaps most famous for the exploits of Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet. Coppi crossed Izoard in the lead while winning the ’49 and ’51 Tours de France, while Bobet led over Izoard in ’50; ’53, and ’54.
In fact, there is a fantastic monument to these two Tour Legends (see photo) about 1 kilometre south of the summit – it is VERY easy to miss this – as it is built into the rocks on a steep downhill stretch.
We will be climbing the slightly easier, and less famous North side. But it’s a fantastic route and can be steep in places.
We’re in cycling country and “Milestones” warn riders of the average grade of each up coming kilometre – see photo below.
At the top everything changes. On the other side is the mythic Casse Deserte (broken desert). A beautiful, strange, rocky environment.
As we descend, stop and take pictures of the Coppi/Bobet monument, then there will be a small climb up to the Col de la Platlière. Another photo opportunity!
Then a 31.5 kilometre (19.5 miles) descent into Guillestre. The second half of this descent, is on a busier, faster road – careful.
Just north of both Cols today are “Refuge Napoleans” built in the mid 1800’s (well after Napolean the 1st) as resting points while crossing the Alps
Col de Vars
Summit: 2,108 metres (6,915 feet)
The Climb (from Guillestre): 19.7 kms (12.3 miles); Ascent: 1,150 metres (3,770 feet);
Col de Vars first appeared in the Tour de France in 1922, when Tour organizers had an idea for one of the first giant mountain stages – linking Col d’Allos, Col de Vars, and Col d’Izoard – all nothing much more than little dirt tracks 86 years ago.
Since then it has appeared over 20 times.
At the top is a monument explaining a bit of history about this pass since the 1300’s. This was often a contested border point between Italy – France – Savoie – etc., and a couple of battles have been fought (way) up here.
From the top it is a 30 kilometre (19 mile) descent to Barcelonnette and the hotel through a very scenic valley.
It’s a Col we often climbed in training and in the Dauphiné. I climbed it with a 41×23 because it has a good surface and lots of hairpins. It’s rolling at the end but remains a sacred pass. – Stephen Roche
Optional Extra: Col Agnel
Leslie has been brainstorming how to fit the Col Agnel into the trip. It is the red track on the map above and supposedly pretty epic. If the Tour d’Enfer has been too easy for you (!?!?!?) – the climb begins on the descent of Col d’Izoard.
Possibly a day trip while we stay in Barcelonnette.
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.
Route Instructions
Not even I can get lost on this route.
- Start Briancon:
- Follow the D902 south to Izoard
- Stay on the D902 to Guillestre
- Stay on the D902 to Col de Vars
- Stay on the D902 to Barcelonnette
