You are reading a single comment by @fussballclub and its replies. Click here to read the full conversation.
  • Just spent an amazing week in Saint Jean de Maurienne. Right in the height of the French alps. The idea was to Climb as many Cols as possible in one week. Based on the basic tourist map I had to hand. I climbed every one in the area. Pulled along by the beauty and history of the roads.

    I'll add photos and better descriptions later.

    Alp d’huez – Needed to build bikes. So we only had time for a single climb.
    http://www.strava.com/activities/197779745

    Col de Croix de fer, Col de Madeliene – Overheated and out of water on Madeleine 6km from the top. Barely made it.
    http://www.strava.com/activities/197779779

    Col d’Izoard - Amazing weather, and an amazing climb.
    http://www.strava.com/activities/197779565

    Col de Telegraphe, Col de Galibier, Col de Lautaret – My riding partner was ill. So I was able to do the sort of slow endurance style ride, he hates. There is no air on the top of Galibier though.
    http://www.strava.com/activities/197779753

    Col de Mollard, Col de Croix de fer, Alp d’heuz, Col de Croix de fer (southside). My mate was still ill so I went on another big one. Except the south face of Croix de fer, at the end of the ride, was too much. I made it. But needed driving home from the top, as was totally cooked. I have no idea why I didnt Climb into the van, when my mate spotted me 3km from the top.
    http://www.strava.com/activities/197780029

    Col de Chaussy – Started with an amazing road with more switch backs per km tan I have ever seen. Short recovery day.
    http://www.strava.com/activities/197779577

    Col de Iseran, Col de Mont Cenis – Climbed Iseran in light rain. Kind of felt more epic doing the highest assent in poor weather. Hot chocolate on the top of Mont Cenis was a god send after being battered by frozen fog, and high winds.
    http://www.strava.com/activities/197779689

    Col de Glandon, Col de Lautaret, Col de Galibier, Col de Telegraphe – Big ride, completing the climbs left on the list. It was tough, but amazing.
    http://www.strava.com/activities/197777503

    Covered less tan 750km in the week, while climbing nearly 21,000m. I was blown away by the beauty and atmosphere of the place. Not to mention the cycling history. I just had to get on the bike everyday. I think if I’d stayed longer I would have ridden myself into an early grave. Next year maybe……

  • Col de Croix de fer, Col de Madeliene – Overheated and out of water on Madeleine 6km from the top. Barely made it.
    strava.com/activities/1977797­79

    Have some kudos for this. Riding up the Croix de Fer. Descending in the summer this road was as busy as Euston Road heavy car crashes and everything.
    But that Glandon descend eh!

About