Todays schedule (Hautluce to Chamonix): The final day is tough. It starts with a short warm up spin on a flat section, before climbing Col des Saisies (1.633m) – another hard climb that features in the tour de France: Floyd Landis famously launched his ‘miracle charge’ in 2006 on this mountain, later testing positive for testosterone! We then race down to the small town of Flumet before launching into col des Aravis (1.498m). After a short descent through La Grand Bornand we climb the epic Col de la Colombiére (1.618m), a leg-breaking pass with an arduous final stretch, connecting the Arve and Borne valleys. there is a thrilling, technical descent to cluses and a flat section before the final, gentler climb on back roads, to reach Chamonix where we’ll most likely have a good night sleep after 149 tough kilometers in the legs….
Bradley Wiggins and Lance Armstrong going up Col de la Colombiére in the 2009 Tour de France
Note, that these lines are written before departure. I’ll update with pictures and stories when I get back!
Todays route
Last day, and once again we were very lucky with the weather. It was raining all night, and weather reports only showed a big cloud over the alps, but somehow we managed to ride the whole day in dry and sunny weather.
The route description mentioned a flat section to begin with, but the only flat bit I remember was riding out of the hotels driveway!
So straight up the Col des Saisies, which wasnt too bad, all taking in to consideration. The descent down, seemed to only last a few seconds, but that is probably cause I’m finally starting to master them, so I can actually enjoy them. Then up the Aravis, and now I’m starting to feel that this is the fourth day in a row….the coffee ‘n’ coke break on the top was much needed!
Col des Saisies
Mark from GPM10 showing the way
Summit, Col des Aravis
Then it was time to approach one of the most legendary mountains of the Tour de France, Col de Colombiere! A nasty 16.5 k avg 6.7% bastard, but with no wind to fight, and nice warm weather all the way to the top it was actually quite enjoyable (though maybe not climbing as fast as on the first days…) and so was the sandwiches we had on the top enjoying the fabulous views.
Profile of the Col de la Colombiere.
Summit, Col de la Colombiere
Lunch on top of Col de la Colombiere
After making our way down the Colombiere (wow, that is one tricky descent, that I wouldn’t like to do on a slippery day!) it was time for a fast, flat (ish) trip up the valley towards Chamonix. Only one final 22k climb, before we were back were it all started 4 days ago.
A great finish to a fantastic trip!
Back in Chamonix again. A recovery + a recovery drink, PLEASE!
Back where it all started after 4 epic days around Mont Blanc, Hotel Eden in Chamonix
Stage 9 of the Tour de France 2010. Looks a lot like what we have done today. We started up Col de Saisies and then went the other way over Col des Aravis and and Col de la Colombiere before the last climb up to chamonix
This has been a sensational trip. It’s been bloody hard work, but I’ve enjoyed every second.
If any of you ever fancy a trip to the alps, I’ll recommend going with GPM10. I’m glad we chose those guys to organise our trip to La Marmotte as well, coming up in a few weeks.
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