Descending the Col de la Madeleine

The_Special_One
The_Special_One Posts: 108
edited May 2008 in Tour & expedition
Hi

When descending the Madeleine towards La Chambre, ive noticed when looking on maps that the road splits into 2 when you get to Longchamps / Longchamps 1650.

So my question is which is the better road to take the one to the left or the right ?

Cheers

Comments

  • craigenty
    craigenty Posts: 960
    Doesn't really matter. We got diverted down the left one last year due to road works and I can't remember it being any different to the right one.

    Just after Longchamps going down, check ot the wierd geological formations on the hillside to the right.

    Craig
  • knedlicky
    knedlicky Posts: 3,097
    The normal route is the left one, as you go down. The right one is quieter and narrower, with more blind bends. This makes it the better to climb, while the left route is the better to descend.

    The right one is the one the French use to get up to Longchamps in their cars when the Tour goes over the Madeleine and the normal route (which the Tour uses) is closed off to traffic at La Chambre hours in advance.