Not just Alpe d'Huez, Solude, Oulles and the Sabot
russell_in_france
Posts: 120
Hi all,
http://www.grenoblecycling.com/gallery/ ... p?album=98
I know many people visit Bourg d'Oisans to watch the Tour de France and ride the Alpe d'Huez, Croix de Fer and Galibier. Today, I rode three other climbs near the town.
After the awful weather at the start of the week with snow down to 1,300 metres near Grenoble, I was able to get out for a ride around Bourg d'Oisans. These were three new climbs for me and I was a little worried about snow stopping us from getting too high. Don't know what state the Galibier is in at the moment.
Just to the south of Bourg d'Oisans is the 1680 metre Col du Solude, with some long tunnels where we couldn't see a thing and then the last few kilometres on dirt track, where our brakes were clogged up with mud.
Then after a long descent, the seven kilometre climb to Oulles, which is situated just off the climb to the Col d'Ornon. Nice little climb with no traffic and again some great views.
Finally, above Vaujany, the 2,100 metre Col du Sabot was paved a few years ago so a 1,290 metre vertical climb in 14 kilometres. Still snow at the top, but thankfully, only the last 30 metres to the Col.
Some photos of the ride on the site, and I'd really recommend any of them if you have some time when you're in Bourg d'Oisans.
Cheers, Russell
www.grenoblecycling.com
http://www.grenoblecycling.com/gallery/ ... p?album=98
I know many people visit Bourg d'Oisans to watch the Tour de France and ride the Alpe d'Huez, Croix de Fer and Galibier. Today, I rode three other climbs near the town.
After the awful weather at the start of the week with snow down to 1,300 metres near Grenoble, I was able to get out for a ride around Bourg d'Oisans. These were three new climbs for me and I was a little worried about snow stopping us from getting too high. Don't know what state the Galibier is in at the moment.
Just to the south of Bourg d'Oisans is the 1680 metre Col du Solude, with some long tunnels where we couldn't see a thing and then the last few kilometres on dirt track, where our brakes were clogged up with mud.
Then after a long descent, the seven kilometre climb to Oulles, which is situated just off the climb to the Col d'Ornon. Nice little climb with no traffic and again some great views.
Finally, above Vaujany, the 2,100 metre Col du Sabot was paved a few years ago so a 1,290 metre vertical climb in 14 kilometres. Still snow at the top, but thankfully, only the last 30 metres to the Col.
Some photos of the ride on the site, and I'd really recommend any of them if you have some time when you're in Bourg d'Oisans.
Cheers, Russell
www.grenoblecycling.com
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Comments
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I did several unheralded rides around Bourg d'Oisans last summer too. I 'm amazed they aren't more popular. At that time, I didn't know the narrow road to Col du Solude was paved; your shots from the top are really nice... maybe someday I'll do the complete ride. Must be great to live in the area year round!
Here are couple photo reports I posted from last summer in the same area:
http://www.steephill.tv/2006/col-de-sarenne/
http://www.steephill.tv/2006/villard-notre-dame/
Steve
www.steephill.tv bike traveloguewww.steephill.tv bike travelogue0 -
Hi Steve,
There's a kilometres or so after Villard-Notre-Dame where the road is still tarmac. After that, it turns into forest road all the way to the Col. If it's dry, I think there would be no problem but yesterday, it was very muddy in places. Good fun, though.
Cheers, Russell
www.grenoblecycling.com0 -
have you done the ride to La Berarde via Venosc (before Les deux Alpes)it was our favourite from Bourg last year. A dead end so virtually traffic free and a roadside river to soak in when things get too hot. Recommended0
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Hi Russell and thanks! We are leaving the Ardeche tomorrow and will be in this area in just a couple of days
Round the world on our bicycles -- www.travellingtwo.comRound the world on our bicycles -- www.travellingtwo.com0 -
http://www.grenoblecycling.com/the-Alps ... #laberarde
I have ridden to La Berarde, and those three climbs were the final three that I hadn't ridden around Bourg d'Oisans. Just three photos of La Berarde on the site, so maybe a visit is needed again there as I love the ride up there as well. There is also some excellent hiking from the village that isn't too tough.
Cheers, Russell
www.grenoblecycling.com0 -
Nice pictures.
Whats the road/track/path like on the northern side of the Sabot? I presume that its not possible to ride down. How long would it take to walk and rejoin the Croix de Fer?0 -
the col du solude is the inspireation for my trip . roll on the 9th /10th june. great photos . it looks like i have a few more climbs to try now ! . 0
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Great to hear that you'll be riding up there as well. You won't be disappointed.
http://jeanpba.homeip.net/index.php?page=11&onglet=1
If you check out Jean-Philippe's page on the Sabot, they did ride down the mountainside and join onto the Croix de Fer. Too much snow for us to even think about doing that. Quite a few photos, and it's the bottom ones you need to look at.
Cheers, Russell
www.grenoblecycling.com0 -
i am hoping my friend peter will be able to join me for a few days while i am there . if he can join me maybe you could show a climb or to as unlike me he climbs quite well. he rides a airnimal folder .i hope to know what dates he can join me on by wednesday.
i am hoping the galiber will be open as if i can climb over that i will be very pleased. i have just fitted some stupidly low gears to the trike and have4 days to test them before i set of to gravesend to pick up the bike bus [:0].
thank for the link[8D]. i will be studying the info and getting more excited each day [:)]0
