Pick a mountain

Stark.

Despite the amount of pain I will suffer, I'm hankering after climbing one of the mountains that feature in the Tour. But which one? I'd appreciate any suggestions from people who've been there, seen it and climbed it on which one would be good to tackle.

ajohn9

Tourmalet, its immense!

pat1cp

Where are you going ??? You don't want to be driving for 3 hours to 'find' a climb. I've not done many but my fave is Joux Plane from Samoens.

andyp

The Galibier as it is the daddy of them all. But you have to the north side so that means the Telegraphe first.

Mont Ventoux would be on most peoples list too. But not mine, a long, hard slog with very little scenic reward (when compared to passes in mountain ranges).

nolf

Alpe D'huez has got to be one of the most famous, however I think I remember reading somewhere that it's not that great a climb- too busy a road.

If you're going all the way there why not plan a few days climbing mountains, 2 a day will really give you a good workout

mrushton

andyp wrote:

The Galibier as it is the daddy of them all. But you have to the north side so that means the Telegraphe first.

Mont Ventoux would be on most peoples list too. But not mine, a long, hard slog with very little scenic reward (when compared to passes in mountain ranges).

Go out there with one of the firms that operate in those areas. BikeVercours is one and I have been with GPM10 a number of times. There 'Classic Col' tour puts over the Galibier/Alpe d'Huez and the Chamonix/Nice features climbs from Stages 7 + 8 of the 2007 tour. it's more expesive this way, but you get a supported ride and the knowledge of the firm who work those areas and which climbs are best suited to you. If you haven't been on them then picking a climb like the Ventoux in the heat of summer may not be wise compared to climbs like the Aravis or the Colombier which are marginally less challenging. For me, the Galibier ascent from Valloire is superb as is the climb to the Iseran from val d'Isere whilst the descent from the Izoard thro' the Casse Deserte is thrilling (ie fast/scary)

schlepcycling

You could always base youself for a few days somewhere around Alpe D'Huez (there are several cyclist friendly guest houses in Bourg d'Oisans. From there you can do in no particular order:

Alpe D'Huez
Les Deux Alpes
Col de la Croix de Fer
Col du Glandon
Col du Galiber
Col Lautaret

http://www.grenoblecycling.com/index.htm

mrushton

nolf wrote:

Alpe D'huez has got to be one of the most famous, however I think I remember reading somewhere that it's not that great a climb- too busy a road.

If you're going all the way there why not plan a few days climbing mountains, 2 a day will really give you a good workout

Alpe d'huez is a must-do if only for the challenge, but it's more fun if you get up there and dp the traverse across the mtn that takes you back to the valley or the road over the Sarenne on the opp.side of the valley. If you go unsupported, get a car and stay for a couple of days in different areas. Staying around Megeve gives you access to the Aravis/Colombier/Cormet de Roseland/Joux Plaine. South to Briancon means you could do the Lauteret/Galibier (less interesting side) or the climbs over to Montgenevre/Susa or Sestriere and around Nice there are plenty of climbs around Cuneo etc that feature in the GF Felice Grimondi

heavymental

Alpe Du Huez is great to do. Because its such a famous climb and all, so much history but all very concise aswell. You can get up in just over an hour, hang out at the top for a bit then head back down. The descent was the most fun I'd had on a bike...well, on anything, for a while.

I managed it in 1hr3 mins by the way which I was quite pleased with, hence I'm shamelessly leeting everyone know!

fluff.

mrushton wrote:

For me, the Galibier ascent from Valloire is superb as is the climb to the Iseran from val d'Isere ..

The part from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Val D'Isere I didn't enjoy too much, it's a busy road with lots of long drags and some dark tunnels. After the town it's quite pleasant, no traffic and fairly easy climbing, it's over with too quickly in comparison to the busy section though.

My favourite so far would be the Restefont, not really a well know tour climb, though they have been over it a few times, and it's quite desolate near the top. But you do get a decent view and long descent as a reward,

nick hanson

schlepcycling wrote:

You could always base youself for a few days somewhere around Alpe D'Huez (there are several cyclist friendly guest houses in Bourg d'Oisans. From there you can do in no particular order:

Alpe D'Huez
Les Deux Alpes
Col de la Croix de Fer
Col du Glandon
Col du Galiber
Col Lautaret

http://www.grenoblecycling.com/index.htm

I agree with this post....you can't go all that way & just do one col
There's also the Izoard near these,then nip down to the pyrenees (or maybe instead of the Alps),base yourself at Argeles Gazost (south of Lourdes) to do Tourmalet,(both sides),Aubisque (again,both sides),along with Luz Ardiden,& Hautacam,to name but a few.Can't go wrong,really!

Stark.

Thanks for the advice and I hear what a number of you are saying about taking in more than one col.

But if you could only do one – and it was your first big mountain climb ever – which would it be?

heavymental

I'd say go do an easy one for your first. My first proper mountain was Superbagneres (where Robert Millar won a stage in '89) it was a lovely day, it wasn't too hard, had amazing views and really whet the appetite to do bigger and better ones.

If you're saying which would I do if I could only do one in my life I guess I'd go tackle the Galibier because its such a monster. I haven't done it yet so can't say what its like but its steeped in history and has a fearsome reputation so its probably a good one to go for.

mrushton

Heavymental wrote:

I'd say go do an easy one for your first. My first proper mountain was Superbagneres (where Robert Millar won a stage in '89) it was a lovely day, it wasn't too hard, had amazing views and really whet the appetite to do bigger and better ones.

If you're saying which would I do if I could only do one in my life I guess I'd go tackle the Galibier because its such a monster. I haven't done it yet so can't say what its like but its steeped in history and has a fearsome reputation so its probably a good one to go for.

i'd go with that. if you do the Telegraphe first from St.Jean du Maurienne and straight on to the Galibier, you would have a 'good day'. The ascent from Valloire to the galibier summit is superb.
There is the 43km from Bourg St.Maurice to the Iseran (highest paved road in the Alps). The climb to Val d'Isere is dull but the remainder up the Iseran is spectacular.

jibi

Can I add Mont Cenis from Lanselbourg to the list,

The setting at the top is awesome. snow covered peaks around the lake, a hotel for a bite to eat and then you can cycle over the pass until you can see Italy.

But as others have also said, the two icons of the tour, Ventoux and the Alpe are great to tick off.

george

hevipedal

Mont Ventoux
and you can stay at http://www.veloventoux.com
Craig is often on here - craigenty
It's a great place to stay and a fantastic place to ride.

mrushton

jibi wrote:

Can I add Mont Cenis from Lanselbourg to the list,

The setting at the top is awesome. snow covered peaks around the lake, a hotel for a bite to eat and then you can cycle over the pass until you can see Italy.

But as others have also said, the two icons of the tour, Ventoux and the Alpe are great to tick off.

george

I was on this the other week. Great climb, steak at the restaurant and then the 30km drop into Susa which was quite exciting. The descent into l-bourg off the Iseran was exceptional - the fact it was about 80 deg in temp helped

andyp

My first was the Aubisque on a rainy day - it was epic with the mist swirling around and you'd get occasional views of the peaks that surround it as the cloud momentarily lifted.

It's still one of my favourite climbs.

pneumatic

If it really has to be only one, then Telegraphe/Galibier (!). If you are going to be pedantic about that being two, then Galibier from Valloire.

However, bear in mind that you have to warm up before you can really enjoy these monster climbs so that means a day or two on other things (Aravis, Saisies).

No scenic rewards on Ventoux! What? It's stunning (in every way). The last 2k from Tommy to the Top is like cycling on the moon.

You can't just do one; you will get hooked. When I started this caper, I thought I was just going to climb Alpe d'Huez, now I am turning my handlebars to the Tourmalet.

knedlicky

Stark. wrote:

Despite the amount of pain I will suffer, I'm hankering after climbing one of the mountains that feature in the Tour. But which one? I'd appreciate any suggestions from people who've been there, seen it and climbed it on which one would be good to tackle.

Climbs commonly used in the Tour …

… in the Alps, the Telegraphe is my favourite from its slope, it seems to suit my style and ability most. For nice, comfortable scenery I like the northern approaches to Glandon and Madeleine best. The descent from southern Madeleine is good too. The northern descent from Croix de Fer is good as well, though expect a sudden short climb underway. For a different landscape, choose the southern descent from Izouard.

… in the Pyrenees, the Portillon from the West is my favourite from its slope, suiting my style and ability most. For view to the side, Aubisque is impressive.