Galibier - out of reach for a few years
Just watching French TV waiting for the stage start program before todays stage and the news showed footage of a further avalanche at the Chambon tunnel . For those who don't know, thats one of the main tunnels on the way down from the Galiber towards Bourg d'Oisans ... A landslide earlier in the year meant that there were doubts that the second last stage of the Tour could go ahead due to the risk... We all know now that the problem was worse than anticipated and hence the stage to Alpe d'Huez has been rerouted. Not a bad thing if you decide to camp out on the Croix de fer as you will get to see the tour climb all three sides of that the climb on three successive days...
But, seeing the news just there, I think we could be losing out on the Tour climbing the classical side of the Galibier (from the Telegraph) for a few years... unless the organisers start using Briancon as a finish...
Also, the marmotte was run yesterday using a double ascent of the Croix de Fer/Glandon combo...
Don't really know what the point of this post is other than I am a bit sad about all of this.... A classic route for many of us cyclists who like to head down there is out of action :-(
But, seeing the news just there, I think we could be losing out on the Tour climbing the classical side of the Galibier (from the Telegraph) for a few years... unless the organisers start using Briancon as a finish...
Also, the marmotte was run yesterday using a double ascent of the Croix de Fer/Glandon combo...
Don't really know what the point of this post is other than I am a bit sad about all of this.... A classic route for many of us cyclists who like to head down there is out of action :-(
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Bugger. That's put the kibosh on some of my summer holiday plans.Correlation is not causation.0
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Or just have the summit finish on the Galibier as in 2011, but from the preferred side.
Not quite as bleak a picture perhaps?"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Makes you wonder about all the normal traffic trying to get to Briancon, Serre Chevalier, Montgenevre etc from Grenoble.0
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Same for me, going over in August for a week and was hoping to ride a loop up and over the Galibier from Bourg d'Oisans. Looks like I'll have to settle for just going up and down the Telegraphe side instead which is a little less convenient but should still be awesomeAbove The Cows wrote:Bugger. That's put the kibosh on some of my summer holiday plans.
I did think from looking at the map there must be some massive detours involved for locals! I read in some of the articles about the initial closure that they were considering building a new road around the other side of the lake adjacent to the blocked tunnel, are they going ahead with those plans now if the normal route is going to be blocked for years?le patron wrote:Makes you wonder about all the normal traffic trying to get to Briancon, Serre Chevalier, Montgenevre etc from Grenoble.0 -
Same for me, going over in August for a week and was hoping to ride a loop up and over the Galibier from Bourg d'Oisans. Looks like I'll have to settle for just going up and down the Telegraphe side instead which is a little less convenient but should still be awesomeAbove The Cows wrote:Bugger. That's put the kibosh on some of my summer holiday plans.
I did think from looking at the map there must be some massive detours involved for locals! I read in some of the articles about the initial closure that they were considering building a new road around the other side of the lake adjacent to the blocked tunnel, are they going ahead with those plans now if the normal route is going to be blocked for years?le patron wrote:Makes you wonder about all the normal traffic trying to get to Briancon, Serre Chevalier, Montgenevre etc from Grenoble.
The alternative routes to get from Grenoble to Briancon are... via Gap. Over the Galibier or through the Frejus tunnel (in to Italy and back round) the latter being a very expensive trip.
There was a boat working taking foot passengers across the lake who needed to get through. But I think that was stopped due to the potential of the next landslide causing a huge wave. I understand a new road is being built, but it will be for local traffic (single carriageway with passing places) - which if they manage to rebuild the tunnel/clear the slide would make a rather nice alternative to ride instead of that busy road.
Davidof knows quite a bit about this being fairly local.0 -
Same for me, going over in August for a week and was hoping to ride a loop up and over the Galibier from Bourg d'Oisans. Looks like I'll have to settle for just going up and down the Telegraphe side instead which is a little less convenient but should still be awesomeAbove The Cows wrote:Bugger. That's put the kibosh on some of my summer holiday plans.
Yes, same here. Based in Briançon so this is less than convenient.Correlation is not causation.0 -
Same for me, going over in August for a week and was hoping to ride a loop up and over the Galibier from Bourg d'Oisans. Looks like I'll have to settle for just going up and down the Telegraphe side instead which is a little less convenient but should still be awesomeAbove The Cows wrote:Bugger. That's put the kibosh on some of my summer holiday plans.
Yes, same here. Based in Briançon so this is less than convenient.
Do the Lauteret, then Galibier from the short side, all the way down the Telegraphe and back. Did this a couple of years ago, at times I felt like death would be preferable!0 -
You're still in a brilliant location - Galibier, Izoard, Agnel, Finestre.... Only Alpe d'Huez is going to be difficult
Same for me, going over in August for a week and was hoping to ride a loop up and over the Galibier from Bourg d'Oisans. Looks like I'll have to settle for just going up and down the Telegraphe side instead which is a little less convenient but should still be awesomeAbove The Cows wrote:Bugger. That's put the kibosh on some of my summer holiday plans.
Yes, same here. Based in Briançon so this is less than convenient.0 -
Having just read all this I have emailed the hotel Edelweiss in La Grave where I am staying in August.
Their reply is this:-
Bonjour Alan,
The road coming up from Grenoble and Bourg d'Oisans to La Grave is closed at 12 kms from La Grave. It is in fact the Tunnel du Chambon which is about to collapse into the artificial lake. This will not effect the cycling of the Galibier, as that is the other side of our village. In fact, the cycling is brillant at the moment, as there is hardly any traffic...it is cyclists paradise. Another mythical in the area which should be on your bucket list is the col d'Izoard. Beautiful!
Untill about 2 weeks ago, it was still possible for passengers (and their bicycles ;-)) to cross the artificial lake under the tunnel by free boat tranfers, allowing them to get to the Bourg d'Oisans side of the tunnel. This service has been put on a temporary hold, as the mountain is about to collapse into the lake. We are expecting it to drop (equivalent of 10.000 trucks with rocks) any minute...Once the mountain has dropped, the boat transfers will be taken up again (or maybe there are so many rocks, we will have a dirt road covering the lake?).
In order to access La Grave form the north, the best way to come is via Chambéry, St jean de Maurienne, Valloire and the magnificent Col du Galibier. In case you come from the south, than you should come via Gap and Briançon.
Any further questions, let us know.
Looking forward having you stay with us this summer.
Marlon & Robin
So once you get to the area it could be the best time to be there.0 -
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Interesting to hear that the ferry might be usable too! On the other hand maybe there's going to be more traffic using the Galibier as a detour between Bourg and Briancon now? I have no idea what the roads are actually like to drive, but it seems that you either go north via the Maurienne valley and the Galibier as they were suggesting, or round to the south through Gap, which looks like the longer route but stays on major roads all the way...So once you get to the area it could be the best time to be there.0 -
Interesting to hear that the ferry might be usable too! On the other hand maybe there's going to be more traffic using the Galibier as a detour between Bourg and Briancon now? I have no idea what the roads are actually like to drive, but it seems that you either go north via the Maurienne valley and the Galibier as they were suggesting, or round to the south through Gap, which looks like the longer route but stays on major roads all the way...So once you get to the area it could be the best time to be there.
The road now closed had quite heavy traffic, including coaches and lorries. They wouldn't be attempting to use the Galibier route, but cars may use it as an alternative. The Telegraphe/Galibier may be a bit busier, but the Lauteret part will be a lot quieter (no cars and lorries!).
As for the ferry, Davidof reported elsewhere that it wasn't open to cyclists generally, but that there was a hotel that had organised for it's guests with bikes to use the ferry (possibly the one Alan is staying in).
The road being shut is having a massive impact on local businesses as they are getting practically no passing trade.0 -
We were there just a few weeks ago. The Galibier isn't busier at all, all through traffic uses the Frejus tunnel. It's still an amazing area to ride0
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That's good news, thanksWe were there just a few weeks ago. The Galibier isn't busier at all, all through traffic uses the Frejus tunnel. It's still an amazing area to ride
Can't wait to get over there! 0 -
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Are you staying near the Ski Lift with James. ?Yes, same here. Based in Briançon so this is less than convenient.
As FJS has said "A brilliant Location.
Briancon is at the foot of the Iconic TDF mountain route Col d'Izoard and then Col de Vars and on to the Bonnet.(I prefer the original name Col de Restefond, before they cut a "short cut" through the ridge)Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 19720 -
I started a thread over on Cycle Chat - a few pretty pictures http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/grenoble-to-brian%C3%A7on-d1091-closed.182525/All this talk of landslides makes me queerly excited. Maybe for that stage I could do a Geology Special Publication...0 -
From your CC thread - all the geo-nerdery you need
http://www.2alpesnet.com/news/the-chambon-tunnel-when-will-the-mountain-fall-685794We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
From your CC thread - all the geo-nerdery you need
http://www.2alpesnet.com/news/the-chambon-tunnel-when-will-the-mountain-fall-685794
When will it fall? I'll tell you when. In a thunderstorm when the moon is full and the lightening will momentarily illuminate a mysterious hooded figure at the top of the mountain, arms aloft cackling "It worked! It WOOOORKED!!!!"
That's when and not before."In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"
@gietvangent0 -
Bloody hell, that looks a hell of a job clearing out. For some reason I just assumedd it was cracks and stuff which meant it wasn't safe to pass, t rather than the whole thing caving in like that.Team My Man 2018: David gaudu, Pierre Latour, Romain Bardet, Thibaut pinot, Alexandre Geniez, Florian Senechal, Warren Barguil, Benoit Cosnefroy0
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19647256#p19647256]disgruntledgoat[/url] wrote:From your CC thread - all the geo-nerdery you need
http://www.2alpesnet.com/news/the-chambon-tunnel-when-will-the-mountain-fall-685794
When will it fall? I'll tell you when. In a thunderstorm when the moon is full and the lightening will momentarily illuminate a mysterious hooded figure at the top of the mountain, arms aloft cackling "It worked! It WOOOORKED!!!!"
That's when and not before.
Are les revenants involved?0 -
Dick Dastardly finally has foiled the Wacky racers. 0
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19647256#p19647256]disgruntledgoat[/url] wrote:From your CC thread - all the geo-nerdery you need
http://www.2alpesnet.com/news/the-chambon-tunnel-when-will-the-mountain-fall-685794
When will it fall? I'll tell you when. In a thunderstorm when the moon is full and the lightening will momentarily illuminate a mysterious hooded figure at the top of the mountain, arms aloft cackling "It worked! It WOOOORKED!!!!"
That's when and not before.
Are les revenants involved?
Victor says it wasn't him...
Correlation is not causation.0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19647256#p19647256]disgruntledgoat[/url] wrote:From your CC thread - all the geo-nerdery you need
http://www.2alpesnet.com/news/the-chambon-tunnel-when-will-the-mountain-fall-685794
When will it fall? I'll tell you when. In a thunderstorm when the moon is full and the lightening will momentarily illuminate a mysterious hooded figure at the top of the mountain, arms aloft cackling "It worked! It WOOOORKED!!!!"
That's when and not before.
Are les revenants involved?
Victor says it wasn't him...
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Is that a young Ashley House?
Good call!Correlation is not causation.0 -
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As for the ferry, Davidof reported elsewhere that it wasn't open to cyclists generally, but that there was a hotel that had organised for it's guests with bikes to use the ferry (possibly the one Alan is staying in).
I took the last boat from Grenoble towards la Grave on the 23 June. They were not at all keen to take my bike having had an order not to carry bikes as they could present a risk if they have to evacuate the boat. As there was only a TV crew on the boat I took they let me across. In the other direction they seemed more relaxed about taking bikes but the whole boat service was a bit ramshackle to be honest. No floating pontoon at the Briancon end so you have to leap off a sandy bank onto the boat cyclocross style.
I was cycling from Grenoble to the Galibier. I had over an hour wait to cross the lake so don't reccommend it in the best of circumstances.
They've been waiting 30 years at Sechelienne further down the valley for the "imminent" landslide. The geology is complicated and provoking a slide using explosives could make things worse, apparently.
The tour can still do routes like Modane -> Galibier -> Izoard -> Pra Loup, for example.
Traffic has doubled on the Galibier according to GavBay elsewhere on the forum.BASI Nordic Ski Instructor
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Are les revenants involved?
The Revenants, now retitled "They didn't come back"BASI Nordic Ski Instructor
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I was thinking, it opens the Tour up to more finishes over the Izoard into Briancon.
Last done in the Giro I think? (07?)0
