France 2011, Sep 9 Col de L'Iseron

Tomorrow we drive across France to the Pyrenees to start a week-long tour riding the mountains there, so as an excuse not to ride today, we decided to visit a famous, but not commonly used, Col on up the Mauriene Valley. It is too isolated for the Tour de France to use often, but is really spectacular.

On the way up the valley we saw these giant forts. They were a line of forts built in the early 18oo's along the border between France an Italy to secure France from invasion. We didn't storm them.

Passing through mountain towns in France is often beautiful due to the flower displays. This town was particularly great. this is just a small example.

On up the valley we came to the Moutain ski resort village. It is being restored as it was in the ancient times. Note the giant slate roof tiles, some old and some new.

Driving up the actual climb of 14 km was really spectular in many ways. Beautiful views, but also no guard rails anywhere. I was a passanger and had a death grip on the "oh shit" handle and was leaning toward the driver at a 45 degree angle. He said, "not now honey."

This baby is desolate. Val d' Isere is one of the biggest ski resorts in France. The base is 17 km away and the ski lifts came up and above where we were.

France Sep 8, Col de la Madeleine

This was the start of the climb that faces southeast, the Col de la Madeleine. We were assured that it was open. This is the steeper side with several km averaging 11% and overall grade of 8.5%. Tough, but much closer to our home for the week. Had a great day to start. Here below, Susan is ready to leap off.

The view toward the southwest, looking back toward the Col du Glandon. Taking pics was a good excuse to stop and rest, although sometimes it seems easier to just keep going or to get going again.

The village seen below is a ski station and quite new.

Here I am at the top. You can see that we were within 9 - 10 km from the top via the northwest approach when we were stopped on the 6th by construction.

I show this picture because it was taken about 10-15 min later and we all have on another layer. It may be hot coming up, but it gets cold quickly.

The Mont Blanc Massif is a truly magestic sight. It is almost directly north of the Col de la Madeleine. Breathtaking.

Was quite hot again. The climb took 2 hours and 1 minute for 12.7 miles and the descent 27 minutes. It was really fun, as the road surface was good. It was paved in part for the 2010 Tour de France.

A wonderful French lunch, and all in all, a great day. Around 5,500 feet of climbing in around 40 miles of riding. 2,200 calories burned. Also a nice little podium girl to serve lunch was a bonus.

France 6 Sep, Albertville and attempt at Col de la Madeleine

The plan today was to do about a 58 mile loop. Starting at Saint Jean-de Mauriene, we would ride down the valley and around the corner to Albertville. Then up the valley to the start of the northwest climb to the Col de Madeleine. It is often used in the Tour de France.

A view back down the valley to Albertville. Note the valley is fairly flat and the climb very gradual. This is because the glaciers scooped out the valleys at least thousands of years ago. The steep climbs then branch off the valleys and go up narrow gorge-like valleys as we saw above in the Col de la Croix de Fer climb.

The Sign to the Col de La Madeleine. Note the Celliers sign.

This approach is actually averaging the whole way at about 7-8%. Not too bad because there are 3-4% areas and some up to 10%, but nothing more.

A view to the northwest, back down the valley, on the northwest side of the Col de Madeleine. The fun stopped just above this at Celliers. Climbed 16 km and got stopped by construction. No way to get through. Tried talking about walking, getting a ride from the workers, bribes. Nada. So we had to back track.

It was a great day for a ride. Got in 70 miles and 5,150 ft of climbing. I noted something that occurs not infrequently. Here is a somewhat delapidated farm house up on the hillside about 500 meters above the valley floor. BUT, three satellite discs. Must get a lot of channels and probably don't come down too much in the winter.

All in all we had good day.