France/Nice and the Col de Madone

jordanweeks

I am heading off to Nice, France in June with the aim of spending 10 days cycling around and climbing in some of the mountains.

Im keen to climb the madone, but was wondering if anyone else had climbed it from menton, and what sort of experience can i expect. How much training will i need to do over the next 4 months? Im reasonably fit, cycle 3-5 times a week at least 20 miles per ride. very confortable completing 100 milers in 6 hours etc.

Also accommodation wise, if any one else has been there and done this, any reccomendations on self catering places to stay that can accommodate bikes?

Thanks

rocoid2000

I'll let someone else guide you on the training, i stayed in the
fabron area of nice which was convenient for the climbs
check the link:

http://www.maeva.com/cote-d-azur/reside ... -d-azur_ge

hope this helps

PieterM

The Col de la Madone is the highlight of my favourite ride in the region (Nice, Grande Corniche, Col d'Eze, Menton, Col de la Madone, La Turbie, Eze, Moyenne Corniche, Nice; 47mi and 5,000ft vertical).

The Madone is a tough climb: 3,000ft vertical in about 8 miles. It is fairly gradual, with only a few short stretches over 10% and a nice flat recovery stretch just over halfway up. At the turnoff to St Agnes there is a water tap with fresh cold water. This is very welcome as the climb is south facing and there is no shelter from the sun. Due its low altitude it can get extremely hot on this road. The north side (which one usually descents) has been paved last year and is a superb road carved out of the rocks.

cycladelic

There's a quiet Youth Hostel in Menton, a little way up the steep road towards Sospel. You can eat there cheaply.

Here are a few snaps of that neck of the woods...

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page ... 35555&v=LZ

pneumatic

Warm up on the Gorges du Loup: Ride up the Gorge to Greolieres, along to the second Pont du Loup, come back by the Plateau to Caussols, Col de L'Ecre, Gourdon and the descent from Heaven back towards Nice. It's an absolute blast!

craigenty

pneumatic wrote:

Warm up on the Gorges du Loup: Ride up the Gorge to Greolieres, along to the second Pont du Loup, come back by the Plateau to Caussols, Col de L'Ecre, Gourdon and the descent from Heaven back towards Nice. It's an absolute blast!

I'll 2nd that - the ride up the Gorge de Loup to Gréoliers and back over the Col de Vence is stunning.

jrock

I've done Col de la Madone and it's awesome! Can not recommend it enough. 50 miles and just over 5,000' of climbing so you better be in shape. The views are stunning and the roads are smooooooooth and fast. It felt so good to get out of London and ride on some decent asphalt for a change!

Here is my Garmin route/ride I took: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/38461496

This is also a good link: http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=6746

cheers!

jrock

what Lance has to say about the ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsnAF652bWc

c7jdg

I agree the Col de la Madone is a wonderful climb but second the warning that it is in full sun with no shade. Coming over the Col it is worth a detour to Peille (the village on your right stuck to the side of the mountain). There is a great creperie in the centre which is car-free but you just cycle in down the narrow alleys.
I also strongly recommend the Gorges du Loup but there is another good way down via Coursegoules, Bezaudun-les-Alpes, Bouyon, Le Broc and Carros which is much prettier and quieter than the Col de Vence.
The Train des Merveilles from Nice to Sospel (and on into Italy if you wish) has bike hangers and is 6 euros one way. Sospel is a beautiful town and there are several routes back to Nice over the Col de Braus or the Col de Turini. 42km descent from the Turini to Nice!