New Tour Climb - La Planche Des Belles Filles

ocdupalais
ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
edited July 2012 in Pro race
For anyone who's interested, just rode this climb today (and for anyone who's not interested, I still rode it): it's a git.
The start is particularly bloody awful and will unhinge quite a few very suddenly on Saturday (I reckon about 15% for about 3km). It does "let up" eventually to about 8/9%, but by then quite a few big names will be red-lining...
The top is a joke, though: I'd say about 400m of just under 20% to the finish (saw somewhere someone reckoned 14% - bo!!ocks!)
I took this at the summit - the tree to the right was vertical!
http://s1070.photobucket.com/albums/u484/SmootFruithy/?action=view&current=image.jpg

This could be a perfect climb for Schleck to attack... Then look over his shoulder after 200m and ease up.
Or how about D Martin for the win?
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Comments

  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    OK, slighly worried now. Looks like I might be watching on the lower slopes... :wink:
  • Yellow Peril
    Yellow Peril Posts: 4,466
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    For anyone who's interested, just rode this climb today (and for anyone who's not interested, I still rode it): it's a git.
    The start is particularly bloody awful and will unhinge quite a few very suddenly on Saturday (I reckon about 15% for about 3km). It does "let up" eventually to about 8/9%, but by then quite a few big names will be red-lining...
    The top is a joke, though: I'd say about 400m of just under 20% to the finish (saw somewhere someone reckoned 14% - bo!!ocks!)
    I took this at the summit - the tree to the right was vertical!
    http://s1070.photobucket.com/albums/u484/SmootFruithy/?action=view&current=image.jpg

    This could be a perfect climb for Schleck to attack... Then look over his shoulder after 2m and ease up.
    Or how about D Martin for the win?

    Holy cow what a climb. Nice tarmac though just begging for Fanboi grafitti. ^ fixed that for you
    @JaunePeril

    Winner of the Bike Radar Pro Race Wiggins Hour Prediction Competition
  • Le Commentateur
    Le Commentateur Posts: 4,099
    Looks like it would make a great ski run in winter.
    Un uomo solo al commando
  • knedlicky
    knedlicky Posts: 3,097
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    For anyone who's interested, just rode this climb today : it's a git.
    The start is particularly bloody awful and will unhinge quite a few very suddenly on Saturday (I reckon about 15% for about 3km).
    It's the last climb on the 'Trois Ballons' cyclosportive. I did that in 2002 and it's true about the lower slopes; 1-3 km into the climb, I was only going at 8-10 km/hr but still passing other riders.
    The Tour has the advantage that they are coming from the north and have a downhill before the ascent. In the 'Trois Ballons' the approach is from the south which means a long slow dragging uphill before it then becomes much steeper.
  • FoldingJoe
    FoldingJoe Posts: 1,327
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    OK, slighly worried now. Looks like I might be watching on the lower slopes... :wink:

    Get yourself towards the top, fella. That's where I'll be. :)
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  • derbygrimpeur
    derbygrimpeur Posts: 822
    more importantly, who's the wimp that's walking up that hill?

    to be fair, it doesn't look as bad as the OP makes out...
    http://app.strava.com/segments/1539752
    The average speeds on there would indicate that the quoted average gradient of 8.9% is probably not far off.
  • aspender
    aspender Posts: 96
    knedlicky wrote:
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    The Tour has the advantage that they are coming from the north and have a downhill before the ascent. In the 'Trois Ballons' the approach is from the south which means a long slow dragging uphill before it then becomes much steeper.

    Don't think that's right. The tour is coming through Plancher les Mines so approaching from the South/SW, they are not going over the Ballon de Servance. I however am as we will be camping in Saint Maurice sur Moselle :D
  • knedlicky
    knedlicky Posts: 3,097
    aspender wrote:
    knedlicky wrote:
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    For anyone who's interested, just rode this climb today : it's a git.
    The start is particularly bloody awful and will unhinge quite a few very suddenly on Saturday (I reckon about 15% for about 3km).
    It's the last climb on the 'Trois Ballons' cyclosportive. I did that in 2002 and it's true about the lower slopes; 1-3 km into the climb, I was only going at 8-10 km/hr but still passing other riders.
    The Tour has the advantage that they are coming from the north and have a downhill before the ascent. In the 'Trois Ballons' the approach is from the south which means a long slow dragging uphill before it then becomes much steeper.
    Don't think that's right. The tour is coming through Plancher les Mines so approaching from the South/SW, they are not going over the Ballon de Servance. I however am as we will be camping in Saint Maurice sur Moselle :D
    Sorry, you’re right – although they only come from the south for about 2 km. Before then they’re coming from the west and descending.

    If I remember right, in the Trois Ballons you come from the east (Giromagny way) then turn north and have 6-7 km slow rise up the valley to the foot of the climb.

    (The Servance is the first climb in the Trois Ballons, from the south - the route takes you twice through Plancher les Mines)
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,462
    derbygrimpeur wrote:
    more importantly, who's the wimp that's walking up that hill?

    to be fair, it doesn't look as bad as the OP makes out...
    http://app.strava.com/segments/1539752
    The average speeds on there would indicate that the quoted average gradient of 8.9% is probably not far off.

    Trying to work out who some of the riders are on the leaderboard - Devolder, Roche? - presumably from a recce?
  • derbygrimpeur
    derbygrimpeur Posts: 822
    where are you getting those names from?
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,462
    derbygrimpeur wrote:
    where are you getting those names from?

    The leaderboard as I view it (not logged in to Strava) shows Nicolas R at 5th and Stijn D at 15th.

    EDIT Logged in now so full name shows both guesses were wrong :oops:
  • sonny73
    sonny73 Posts: 2,203
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    For anyone who's interested, just rode this climb today (and for anyone who's not interested, I still rode it): it's a git.
    The start is particularly bloody awful and will unhinge quite a few very suddenly on Saturday (I reckon about 15% for about 3km). It does "let up" eventually to about 8/9%, but by then quite a few big names will be red-lining...
    The top is a joke, though: I'd say about 400m of just under 20% to the finish (saw somewhere someone reckoned 14% - bo!!ocks!)
    I took this at the summit - the tree to the right was vertical!
    http://s1070.photobucket.com/albums/u484/SmootFruithy/?action=view&current=image.jpg

    This could be a perfect climb for Schleck to attack... Then look over his shoulder after 200m and ease up.
    Or how about D Martin for the win?
    Great pic, looks a brute of a climb! Certainly going to shake up GC without question, can't wait for this stage.
  • derbygrimpeur
    derbygrimpeur Posts: 822
    Pross wrote:
    derbygrimpeur wrote:
    where are you getting those names from?

    The leaderboard as I view it (not logged in to Strava) shows Nicolas R at 5th and Stijn D at 15th.

    EDIT Logged in now so full name shows both guesses were wrong :oops:

    ;) the HR/Power is a good indicator that they're not Pro's :lol:
  • sonny73
    sonny73 Posts: 2,203
    Le Commentateur wrote:
    Looks like it would make a great ski run in winter.
    Was in not a ski run originally? I heard that said recently on ES I think it was, that they saw it's potential so tarmacked it, unless it was a tongue in cheek comment.
    Also La Planche Des Belles Filles translates to Plate Of Beautiful Girls, a little fact for you there if like me you don't parle French good like.
  • sportbilly1976
    sportbilly1976 Posts: 524
    Isn't this the new road which the locals were complaining about as it has been purposely built for the Tour?
  • sonny73
    sonny73 Posts: 2,203
    sportbilly1976 wrote:
    Isn't this the new road which the locals were complaining about as it has been purposely built for the Tour?
    Yeah, just found it on Wiki translation: http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... es&act=url
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    derbygrimpeur wrote:
    more importantly, who's the wimp that's walking up that hill?

    It will be me! :D
  • derbygrimpeur
    derbygrimpeur Posts: 822
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    derbygrimpeur wrote:
    more importantly, who's the wimp that's walking up that hill?

    It will be me! :D

    disgraceful :P :lol:
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    derbygrimpeur wrote:
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    derbygrimpeur wrote:
    more importantly, who's the wimp that's walking up that hill?

    It will be me! :D

    disgraceful :P :lol:

    Thank you very much! :D
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    derbygrimpeur wrote:
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    derbygrimpeur wrote:
    more importantly, who's the wimp that's walking up that hill?

    It will be me! :D

    disgraceful :P :lol:

    Thank you very much! :D

    That wimp, I'll have you know was a random French granny, in her granny-ring (at the front - dinner-plate at the back): she was probably in the La Resistence during The War (in which case she fought for the right to walk up any hill she wants,) or was a collaborator (in which case she had it coming!).
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    aspender wrote:
    I however am as we will be camping in Saint Maurice sur Moselle :D

    Hey! Come and say hello - that's where Herself and I are at: green tent SW corner of site.
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    That wimp, I'll have you know was a random French granny, in her granny-ring (at the front - dinner-plate at the back): she was probably in the La Resistence during The War (in which case she fought for the right to walk up any hill she wants,) or was a collaborator (in which case she had it coming!).

    That's me out of excuses. Looks like I'm gonna have to ride it. :cry:
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    aspender wrote:
    I however am as we will be camping in Saint Maurice sur Moselle :D

    Hey! Come and say hello - that's where Herself and I are at: green tent SW corner of site.

    Anyone in Belfort? :wink:
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    FoldingJoe wrote:
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    OK, slighly worried now. Looks like I might be watching on the lower slopes... :wink:

    Get yourself towards the top, fella. That's where I'll be. :)

    Agree! - have been deliberating about best place to watch - I HATE not knowing what's going on once the race has passed (usually necessitating video screen/bar) so that cancelled out option of viewing at bottom of La PDBF; gonna suck it up, get to top about lunch time (ooh, time for a little something...) and take in the atmos.
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    Agree! - have been deliberating about best place to watch - I HATE not knowing what's going on once the race has passed (usually necessitating video screen/bar) so that cancelled out option of viewing at bottom of La PDBF; gonna suck it up, get to top about lunch time (ooh, time for a little something...) and take in the atmos.

    Ahh. Now I stood at 300m to go yesterday at the finish in Boulogne sur Mer from about 11:00 in the morning. And even though it was a fantastic spot, I'm not going to do that again this year! I hate having people pushing me in the back trying to get a view. Screen was about 250m to go if that's any help? I'd rather be further down where I can get a better view of the riders. But that's me I guess, I'm sure it will be an excellent day out whatever!
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,317
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    I hate having people pushing me in the back trying to get a view. Screen was about 250m to go if that's any help?

    I'm with you there.
    I've never found the grief of the so-called "prime spots" worth it. I've nearly always lucked out with a combination of fore-thought and instinct/winging it.
    Is there any way of finding out where they're going to position the screens beforehand? That would be such splendid info...
  • knedlicky
    knedlicky Posts: 3,097
    Sonny73 wrote:
    Le Commentateur wrote:
    Looks like it would make a great ski run in winter.
    Was in not a ski run originally? I heard that said recently on ES I think it was, that they saw it's potential so tarmacked it, unless it was a tongue in cheek comment.
    sportbilly1976 wrote:
    Isn't this the new road which the locals were complaining about as it has been purposely built for the Tour?
    The road wasn’t previously a ski run and it’s not a new road.
    However, judging from the linked photo by the OP, it looks like it’s not only been resurfaced recently (not uncommon if the Tour is to go by) but also widened since I was last there (about 2007).

    This photo shows the top as it used to look when set up for the finish of the Trois Ballons. 640px-Planche_des_Belles-Filles-_3_Ballons.jpg

    (The photo is taken from a piece of paved road going higher than the parking area but which just sort of stops in the middle of nowhere 100 m or so above the parking area - or used to; things may have changed – see below)

    And this photo shows the area last October, when the bulldozers had moved in to enlarge the parking area especially for the Tour.
    trav_PDBF.jpg

    This is what the locals were complaining about - the destruction of the nice small parking area at the top and the environmental/ecological damage caused by other construction - the plan wasn't just to enlarge this area but also construct 3 more large open parking areas, specifically for all the logistic, media, publicity and team cars, lorries and busses associated with the Tour.
    There is no argument that the ski resort needs 4 large parking areas because it's tiny, just 5 runs of total 4 km length, the maximum drop only 200m, with no room for development.

    The environmentalists and ecologists managed to get the work halted at the end of November and there was to be a decision last February about what work exactly to allow, but even before then, some local authority had the construction firm start work again, so then it also became a legal argument, as well as ecological/environmental one.

    I don’t know what the eventual outcome was, although obviously some work has since been done or else Prud’homme would have made other arrangements.

    Anyway, it’s one of the reasons I won’t be at the top, I used to like it there in the past and it’s been destroyed. It also seems contrary to the idea of cycling being environmental-friendly. Admittedly the number of vehicles following the Tour is also not environmental-friendly, but they are not permanent features left on the landscape.

    *
    For me, another reason not to be at the top is, like greasedscotsman and OCDuPalais write, it’s always overcrowded at the top of any mountain finish (or top of pass towards the end of a stage) and so you don’t get to see much.
    I’m planning on being about the second hairpin up.
  • knedlicky
    knedlicky Posts: 3,097
    Sonny73 wrote:
    Also La Planche Des Belles Filles translates to Plate Of Beautiful Girls, a little fact for you there if like me you don't parle French good like.
    Sonny73 wrote:
    Yeah, just found it on Wiki translation: http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... es&act=url
    The legend described in the wikipedia link is a bit brief. Here’s the one I know:

    A long time ago the inhabitants at Plancher-les-Mines were in great fear because the Swedes, who had been ravaging through Lorraine, were approaching. One of the girls in the village, Ines, a girl of great beauty, admired the courage the local men showed in preparing to fight the Swedes, but she thought it might be better to avoid the ‘barbarians’ by hiding in the mountains, and she knew high up above the village there was an ideal place, a small lake surrounded by oak trees.
    So Ines called all the maidens of the village together and they set off up the mountain, all in pretty white dresses and with crowns of bindweed in their hair, like they’d dress on a festive day.

    Up the mountain the girls waited and eventually heard the bells of the village ring as warning that the Swedes were close, then they heard the noise of the approaching Swedish troops. Peering through the trees and branches, they saw troops on horseback coming their way, led by a young soldier. To Ines he appeared as handsome as a god.
    The young man then saw Ines, and was overwhelmed by her beauty. It was clear they both instantly fell for each other. He stopped his unit and signalled to the troops that they should honour and respect Ines and the other young ladies.

    However the soldiers had other ideas and rushed to take advantage of the maidens. To escape the barbarian horde, Ines threw herself into the lake and, without hesitation, the other girls then did the same. The young man tried to save Ines but by the time he pulled her out through the waterlilies at the water’s edge, she was just a lifeless body. The soldier lay her on a bed of moss, placed a kiss on her forehead, then took his wooden plate out of his kitbag and, using his dagger, engraved an epitaph for Ines and the girls on it.

    *
    If you walk around at the top, you’ll come across the little lake.
  • FoldingJoe
    FoldingJoe Posts: 1,327
    I'll be on the campsite in Belfort, greasedscotsman.

    Where would be the best place to park?

    Second hairpin sounds like a good shout.
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  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    FoldingJoe wrote:
    I'll be on the campsite in Belfort, greasedscotsman.

    Where would be the best place to park?

    Second hairpin sounds like a good shout.

    Does nobody stay in hotels anymore?

    And parking? I was gonna ride there.

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