Col des Rochilles

Col des Rochilles via Col du Télégraphe.

By Will on October 6, 2010 Favorites, French Alps, Mountain Bike, Videos

I have climbed the classic north side of Col du Galibier 6 or 7 times. Every time at Plan Lachat (26 kms up; about 1960 metres), I have eyed an old, gravel military road full of hairpins that climbs up into another valley to the left. I always promise myself to cycle it one day.

Well I finally kept my promise. Enjoying perfect weather, after a couple of hours climbing, I turned off onto this bumpy, gravelly, difficult but not crazy steep road. Amazing. At the top is an old French military barracks, and higher a few little glacier lakes …. all surrounded by high mountains. Highly recommended – but bring a VTT (MtB).

Galibier Hairpins in the distance:

Cycle Route 722944 – via Bikemap.net

9.1 Awesome

I had seen these super-high hairpins in the distance so many times while cycling Galibier. What a pleasure to finally explore. Next time I need to make a loop by going over the top.

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alps Cycling favourite France galibier military rochille video vtt

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Will

Happiest while cycling uphill.

9 Comments

Emyr Williams on October 7, 2010 2:48 pm

Looks like a cracking ride.

Reply
PhilippeF on October 7, 2010 8:28 pm

a cracking ride, indeed !
je suis allé là uniquement à pied, et je rêve d’y retourner à VTT, en ajoutant le tour du Col des Cerces et le lac du même nom, avec les superbes vues sur le Grand Galibier

bravo

Reply
Bastien on October 7, 2010 9:46 pm

Superbe Will ! Paysages et temps parfaits ! Finalement tu n’as pas testé le col d’Albanne ?

Reply
Will on October 8, 2010 8:06 am

Oui, vous avez raison, tous les deux. il y a d’autres cols là aussi. Mais, avec Telegraphe, j’étais fatigué ;).

Nous devrions y retourner en 2011.

Reply
Eric on October 8, 2010 10:57 pm

Good that I know you better than that, else I would think you are bored with Galibier. Most cyclists would ask:”How can you not do Galibier when you are at Plan Lachat?” 😉

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Ralph on October 10, 2010 10:21 pm

Thanks for sharing all of the spectacular scenery with us flat landers in the USA. The 2008 Tour d’Enfer Lost Boys crew (Larry, Michelle, Arthur, Tim and myself) were discussing your videos on a ride the other week & how much we enjoy them!

Reply
Will on October 10, 2010 10:44 pm

Hi Ralph,

Great to hear from you.

Trust me, in this region, it’s still hard to top the day you and I watched the TdF at the top of Galibier.

All the best,

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