I’m planning to take my four day route from Geneva to Nice in two blocks of two days, staying three nights in the same place after Day 2 before picking up the route again on Day 5. This gives me two days in St Jean de Maurienne.
Worst case I’ll just be resting up and recovering, but ideally I want to use this location, close to many of the classic Alpine climbs, as a base from which to take on a couple of out-and-back routes, without the panniers and luggage I’ll need to take with me between hotels.
I’ve planned two routes, which I think are the most ambitious I could see myself completing, but also keeping a few options in hand to turn early if the legs aren’t up to the challenge.
Day 3
There may be bigger and tougher climbs, but arguably none is more famous than the Alpe d’Huez (1840m). The stretch goal for this route is to ride out via the Col du Glandon (1924m) to the base of the Alpe, climb it, descend back down and then return via the Col de la Croix de Fer (2086m) and the Col du Mollard (1635m).
Bail-out options include:
- Staying in bed.
- Completing just the Glandon / Croix de Fer / Mollard loop.
- Getting to the base of Alpe d’Huez, thinking better of it and turning for home.
- Skipping the Croix de Fer / Mollard loop on the way home, and instead descending straight back down the Col du Glandon.
Day 4
The Tour de France is passing through the Alps around the time I’ll be there. While the big strong boys of the peloton will be flying up hills at seemingly impossible speeds, part of why I want to do this trip is to get more of an understanding of just how hard these climbs are for mere mortals like me.
Stage 17 of this year’s tour takes in the Col des Saisies and the Cormet de Roselend, which are on my Day 1 route, before cutting west from Bourg St Maurice into the Trois Vallees ski area for a finish on the Col de la Loze, which sits above and between, and in winter connects, the resorts of Courchevel and Meribel.
The goal for Day 4 is to summit the Col de la Loze (2305m), first crossing the Col de la Madeleine (1993m) then following the valley up via Moutiers and Brides les Bains where the climb starts in earnest. Continuing over the top and down through Courchevel, then returning down the valley and looping back via Albertville.
It’s a long route by distance, but with no significant climbing after the 100km mark I’d rather take the extra, flatter kilometers on the way home than shorten the return by tackling a return trip over the Madeleine.
Bail-out options:
- Turn at the top of Col de la Madeleine
- Descend the Madeleine and then turn left to loop straight back via Albertville
- Skip the Col de la Loze, maybe turn at Le Praz / La Tania, or check out Courchevel village and head back.
So a couple of tough days and I’d say no better than the flip of a coin right now that I’ll complete both routes in full. I may also swap the days around as on balance I’d prefer to complete the Col de la Loze in a year the Tour is climbing it, even if that means leaving the iconic Alpe d’Huez for another time.
