Different day same old col...
I have recently just returned from supporting Histon and Impington Bicycle Club's Tour du Mont Blanc. In fact it was the second time in a month that I was supporting cyclists over these epic climbs. I must say that HIBC was a fabulously friendly bunch with everybody looking out for each other, no matter their ability and experience on a bike. I was blown away by Will, a 74 year old, who not only kept up with the rest but did it all in the big ring! I would not recommend this to anybody else!
Whilst on the ride I was thinking of all the Cols in the Alps and started to make a summary list. I thought I would put a few of the must do's in a short and sweet summary of the ones closer to home.
Northern French Alps / Annecy
- Col de la Colombiere side 1 (Le Grand Bornand) - steady, meadows, mountain farm life
- Col de la Colombiere side 2 (Marnaz) - steady, with a final 3km alpine bite
Col de la Colmbiere's sweeping meadows
- Col des Aravis - both sides - steady
- Col de la Croix Fry (Manigod) - 5 degrees hotter than other climbs in area, 2km middle steep punch
Heading to the steep warm section of the Col de la Croix Fry (views make it worth it)
- Plateau des Glieres both sides - short but steep!
- Semnoz - long and challenging
- Joux Plane side 1 (Morzine) - shorter and quite shaded
- Joux Plane side 2 (Samoens) - hot and steep
Looking backdown from Joux Plane to Samoens and out to Mont Blanc
- Cormet de Roselend - both sides - long and steady. Fabulous views of lake on Beaufort side.
Lac du Roselend is worth a pic
- Col des Saisies - both sides - steady and similar to Colombiere
- Petit Saint Bernard - both sides - long and steady, get into a rhythm
- Saleve - 4 options shortest from Geneva side but brutally steep
A great write up by Dan from HIBC of their trip can be found here