New Tour Climb - La Planche Des Belles Filles

ocdupalais

knedlicky wrote:

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

It's not the same road - the new final slope of 18%+ goes from those buildings in the background of your photo.

I'd usually go along with the eco argument in most situations, but this is never going to be a big commercial ski resort; and in the meantime the local area (which I believe is struggling economically) might gain a few jobs and a bit of a pick-me-up.

FoldingJoe

greasedscotsman wrote:

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.

Normally, but couldn't find anything as I left it a little late.

I'm getting there straight from Geneva, so thought best to drive and park, plus not bringing bikes.

greasedscotsman

FoldingJoe wrote:

Normally, but couldn't find anything as I left it a little late.

I'm getting there straight from Geneva, so thought best to drive and park, plus not bringing bikes.

Fair enough, but then I got my hotel in Belfort on Friday!

Not sure about parking though, maybe someone on here knows the area a bit better.

Le Commentateur

My guess is that somebody has used the Tour as leverage to get the basic plot developed – an access road and a nice flat area ready for cafes, gift shops and apartments in due course. Like the Olympics, but on a smaller scale.

ocdupalais

greasedscotsman wrote:

FoldingJoe wrote:

Normally, but couldn't find anything as I left it a little late.

I'm getting there straight from Geneva, so thought best to drive and park, plus not bringing bikes.

Fair enough, but then I got my hotel in Belfort on Friday!

Not sure about parking though, maybe someone on here knows the area a bit better.

In terms of closeness of parking, I reckon if you can get to Plancher-Les-Mines you'll have done well: it'll be busy, but I reckon you'll easily find some side roads to approach it from and park - it'll be a hefty trudge to the top from there, though. Otherwise, you might find a suitable roadside bar to bellow from, before rejoining your pint of Pelforth inside...

Dorset_Boy

There's a big article on it in one of the cycling magazines (Pro Cycling ?) this month - there is a new stretch of road that has cost the local authority a shed load of money. There are also environmental issues regarding a natural area immediately adjacent to the road and they were suggesting that there may not be viewing allowed from one side of the road. It all sounds like the local mayor forced the development through to boost his own ego....
Could also be protests from the local tree huggers on the day.

aspender

OCDuPalais wrote:

aspender wrote:

I however am as we will be camping in Saint Maurice sur Moselle

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

Cool, will look out for you. We will be arriving on Friday evening after watching stage 6. Two blokes, one Orange Qashqai and two bikes.

knedlicky

OCDuPalais wrote:

knedlicky wrote:

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

It's not the same road - the new final slope of 18%+ goes from those buildings in the background of your photo.

I'd usually go along with the eco argument in most situations, but this is never going to be a big commercial ski resort; and in the meantime the local area (which I believe is struggling economically) might gain a few jobs and a bit of a pick-me-up.

I'm sure it's the same road up to the old parking area, albeit widened and resurfaced, but I did hear a new bit of road 1 km long had been built, so you might be right that it goes up higher from the buildings in the background of my photo.

I'm not sure how much it might help the local economy, other than it has already with construction firms using local labour and subcontractors.
All opponents argued the cost (1/2 million Euro was the original budget, but as usual it cost a bit more in the end) wasn't warranted for such a small ski resort, to which the Departement officials then replied it would help cyclo-tourism in the area.
I find this hard to believe, as casual cyclists wouldn't attempt the climb, and the likes of those on this forum would just go up and down, at most with a quick pop-in a cafe at the top.

knedlicky

OCDuPalais wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

FoldingJoe wrote:

Normally, but couldn't find anything as I left it a little late.
I'm getting there straight from Geneva, so thought best to drive and park, plus not bringing bikes.

Fair enough, but then I got my hotel in Belfort on Friday!
Not sure about parking though, maybe someone on here knows the area a bit better.

In terms of closeness of parking, I reckon if you can get to Plancher-Les-Mines you'll have done well: it'll be busy, but I reckon you'll easily find some side roads to approach it from and park - it'll be a hefty trudge to the top from there, though. Otherwise, you might find a suitable roadside bar to bellow from, before rejoining your pint of Pelforth inside...

I’d guess the stretch the Tour goes along at Plancher-les-Mines will be closed to cars by midday, also by then that part of the Tour route to the west of Plancher-les-Mines, and (if heading south) the road coming over the Ballon de Servance and the road from the village of Servance (NW of Plancher-les-Mines).
The police in Alsace seem to go in for road closure earlier than farther south in France.

It’s also possible the road coming from the south (Plancher-Bas) will be closed at Le Rapois by then.
For someone coming from Belfort, for them to get to Le Rapois and then walk would be my best bet (about 4 km to the start of the climb) – maybe far for some English (nothing personal meant) but the French do it, even when loaded down with collapsible chairs, umbrellas, and picnic baskets.

There are no side roads which help (unless you come from Giromagny on a mountain bike)
Also, unless it’s changed there are no roadside bars after Plancher-les-Mines - although you normally always find a temporary one or two along a climb (tents set up for the day, with TV screen) - my hope too!

FoldingJoe

greasedscotsman wrote:

FoldingJoe wrote:

Normally, but couldn't find anything as I left it a little late.

I'm getting there straight from Geneva, so thought best to drive and park, plus not bringing bikes.

Fair enough, but then I got my hotel in Belfort on Friday!

Not sure about parking though, maybe someone on here knows the area a bit better.

Really, which one?

greasedscotsman

FoldingJoe wrote:

Really, which one?

I'm in the Campanile. But I've just checked and there still is one room at the Premiere Classe for two nights, Friday and Saturday in Belfort if your interested?

bompington

OCDuPalais wrote:

I reckon about 15% for about 3km... 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!)

Not exactly:


EDIT: hadn't read the bit about the new road though :oops:

FoldingJoe

greasedscotsman wrote:

FoldingJoe wrote:

Really, which one?

I'm in the Campanile. But I've just checked and there still is one room at the Premiere Classe for two nights, Friday and Saturday in Belfort if your interested?

Argh, it's a a double and I need a twin!!

Ah well, never mind, I love the great outdoors!!

takethehighroad

Never heard of top and tail?

FoldingJoe

TakeTheHighRoad wrote:

Never heard of top and tail?

Yep, but whenever I've heard it quoted it's always been in relation to children of around 5-10 years of age!!

greasedscotsman

FoldingJoe wrote:

Argh, it's a a double and I need a twin!!

Ah well, never mind, I love the great outdoors!!

I think it's OK to share a double, isn't it? As long as one of you doesn't end up spooning the other that is...

Mind you, a Premiere Classe isn't far off being in the great outdoors, so you might be better off in a tent!

Anonymous

I'm also going. Am flying Fri night to Basel and then mate is joining me at 10 on Sat am. Will drive over and have a walk up. Given we're arriving v late and everything will already be shut/crowded, I'm thinking of heading to Liseux and walking up the back side of the climb.

Unless anyone has any better ideas?

I'll be the one with lots of spraycans making sure that nice new road gets plenty of covering.

Hoping to go to final dimple on Sunday and then I'm off to Besancon for the TT before flying back v early on Tuesday.

knedlicky

FlipFlopper wrote:

I'm thinking of heading to Liseux and walking up the back side of the climb

I'd guess you mean Lepuix.
I don’t know the walking route but it’s about 600 m difference in elevation, so you need to allow 90 mins, and maybe even 45 mins more if the route has long sweeping curves as it rises, rather than a more direct but steeper path (and I'd guess the former).

ocdupalais

FlipFlopper wrote:

Given we're arriving v late and everything will already be shut/crowded, I'm thinking of heading to Liseux and walking up the back side of the climb.

Unless anyone has any better ideas?

That, I must say, is a fabulously kinky approach.
I've been trying to come up with all manner of hair-brained plans that have been shot down in flames by Herself (I thought the 40 leaf blowers strapped together around a wicker-basket for 2, plus scatter cushions for comfort and ambiance (obviously), would go down a treat - literally - but oh, no that's a stupid idea, apparently).
Careful assessment of the weather is probably the key: it's absolutely p!ssing down here now.

RoadPainter

(new account)

Yeah, I meant Lepuix.

Haven't had bad weather at a GT since my debut on the Agnel in 08. Doesn't look too promising for this weekend.

Maybe see some of you there - i'm @RoadPainter on Twitter

nicklouse

RoadPainter wrote:

(new account)

how many accounts do you need.

PM me which you want to keep and the rest will go.

also why do you need so many?

RoadPainter

nicklouse wrote:

RoadPainter wrote:

(new account)

how many accounts do you need.

PM me which you want to keep and the rest will go.

also why do you need so many?

Just need one, but can't change the name of it. Updating account name is phpBB functionality that's been disabled by this forum - why?

Will PM you

sonny73

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12306/Tour-de-France-video-preview-La-Planche-des-Belles-Filles-to-blow-race-apart.aspx

Video preview with Dan Lloyd riding it for us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWUxdESfYVU&feature=youtu.be

greasedscotsman

Just arrived at my hotel in Belfort, but took a bit of a diversion on my way here via Plancer Bas and Plancer les Mines to see what was happening. Appears to be parking set up at Plancher Bas with a shuttle bus service (have I got that right, there signs saying navette gratuites?) running up towards the climb from 8 to 1.

knedlicky

'Free' buses.
But I thought you were riding there?

greasedscotsman

knedlicky wrote:

'Free' buses.
But I thought you were riding there?

I don't know now. Not really interested in the free buses, but might park the car there and ride up. Not sure I fancy the traffic jam afterwards!

But regardless of my dilemmas, I was just posting for others info...

RoadPainter

greasedscotsman wrote:

Just arrived at my hotel in Belfort, but took a bit of a diversion on my way here via Plancer Bas and Plancer les Mines to see what was happening. Appears to be parking set up at Plancher Bas with a shuttle bus service (have I got that right, there signs saying navette gratuites?) running up towards the climb from 8 to 1.

Nice one, thanks.

frenchfighter

Damn, Contador would rip them to pieces on this climb. Go Frankie boy.