Owner: Cycling Challenge URL:http://www.cycling-challenge.com Join Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 13:25:29 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Cycling the great and lessor know climbs in the French and Swiss Alps.
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Chemin de St Jacques Pilgrim Route 2007-11-18 09:11:04
Just behind my house is the Chemin de St Jacques
de Compestelle Pilgrim Route.
For over a thousand years Pilgrims from all over Europe have been following the various trails of the Chemin de St Jacques to make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in the North-West of Spain.
Most days we see modern day “pilgrims” with big back packs walking along the trail behind our house.
It’s a World Heritage site. See Wikipedia link for more: It’s called the Way of St James in english and el Camino de Santiago, in Spanish.
Near me it’s also a great mountain bike route. Excuse the balaclava but it was cold. Even St Jacques was frozen solid.
How does altitude affect power output? 2007-11-16 12:52:03 Two Wheel Blogs has a simple and interesting analysis of how altitude
affects Power output.
I live at 600 metres (2,000 feet) which appears to lead to just a 2% loss of power
versus sea level. The highest I have ever cycled is a 2,802 metres (a little over 9,000 feet) on Col de la Bonette. I’ve also cycled Col de l’Iseran (2,770 metres) and Col du Galibier (2,645 metres). This altitude lead to roughly a 15% reduction in power versus sea level. Wow!
While these are three of the most beautiful and challenging climbs in France, there are many steeper climbs at lower altitude. But the thinner air clearly adds to the difficulty. See the article at Two Wheel Blogs for more details.
Below: I am sprinting the very last stretch versus an unsociable guy at 2,800 metres - at the Col de la Bonette - the highest road in France. My lungs are very close to exploding - but I beat him (ok he was a touch old).
During our Tour of Wales this summer, we faced some incredibl
New Map: Jura Mountains Cycling Climbs 2007-11-15 06:14:33 After all my recent Jura mountain climbs I figured it was a good time to map the area. I have found my Alps maps really motivating as I try and ride as many of the unclimbed routes as possible. Or remind myself how easy it is to get to old favourites.
I’ve played around with lots of online Map tools, but had previously coded my own Alps Google map to avoid advertising and so I could tailor it. But now with the My Maps features of Google maps, this Jura map was a breeze to make - while watching TV last night - and again no advertising.
One neat feature, it allows you to easily draw a route on the map. So if you zoom in, you can see that I have (so far) added the routes for Mont du Chat, Grand Colombier, and La Baudichonne. I’m not sure if too many routes will slow the map down. If not, I’ll add others over time.
Users can click on the “Larger Map” link at the bottom. And if they have a Google account the map can be saved in their own My Map secti Read more:Cycling
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? 2007-11-14 12:15:40
Above: A few years back when my friend Chris came to Europe to compete in the World Duathlon Championships in Germany.
Thomas, a triathlete who lives in Lausanne on the other side of Lake Geneva, wrote a little review of my blog - but unfortunately I couldn’t understand it.
Luckily, my good friend Leslie - of Travels with a Tin Donkey fame - speaks German:
While planning a route at Sanoodi.com, a nice Google Maps-based route planner for walkers and cyclists, I ran until Will or, respectively, him into me. He is an enthusiastic cyclist in Geneva, Switzerland, and is attempting to cycle 160,000 vertical meters in 2007. And he is only counting the uphill meters! He already is familiar with all the classic climbs in the French Alps. Go here for more information in English. Have fun planning your trips!
Danke Thomas.
If you are a Triathlon fan and speak German, you can visit Thomas’ blog: Swim.Bike.Run.Eat.Sleeprs. Read more:Deutsch
Col de Cuvery 2007-11-13 08:40:32
Col de Cuvery is above Bellegarde and part of the same massif as Col de Richmond, Col de la Biche and Le Grand Colombier. Almost 15 kilometres long and over 800 metres of ascent, it’s a pretty decent climb. I knew the top was just about at the current snow line, so wearing four layers and with a balaclava for the descent I set off.
The Climb starts in Bellegarde - but I started a little higher in Vouvray since it avoids the busier first couple of kilometres. As with all my recent Jura climbs, its a lovely super-quiet road through mountain forests. Although a little cloudy, the snow covered Alps were in full view throughout the climb.
At the top is the Plateau de Retord with signed cross-country skiing routes as well as several signed mountain bike routes. Despite the ice off the road, I had planned to investigate the trails up top, but my rear chain ring broke loose - yikes. Luckily I could cruise the entire way home without pedaling.
2008 Tour de France Preview Stage 16 - The Highest Road in Europe 2007-11-11 05:52:12 It’s never to early to start talking about the Tour de France
.
The 2008 Tour de France route was announced a few weeks ago. There are only two giant multi-climb Alps mountain stages- (there are more in the Pyrennées and a couple of medium days in the Alps). One of the two giant Alps stages - stage 17 - includes the usual suspects climbing Col du Galibier via Col de Lataret, onto Col de la Croix de Fer and finishing atop Alpe d’Huez. An Epic but well known route.
But the other giant Alpine stage - stage 16 - will involve two fantastic but lessor known climbs. The Col de la Bonette - the highest paved road in Europe
(ok its debatable) - and the impressive Col de la Lombarde. So here’s a brief overview of the the two climbs.
Stage
16 - Starts in Cuneo, Italy. 157 kms (just under 100 miles). Ends in Jausiere, France.
This will only be the 4th time that Bonette appears in the tour de France. Bonette first appeared in the Tour in 1962 and 1964, both times The Read more:Preview
La Baudichonne 2007-11-07 09:27:00
Continuing my sampling of beautiful, challenging, car-free roads in the Jura mountains — today I climbed up to La Baudichonne.
It’s less than 10kms but a very steep climb averaging almost 10%. The route climbs the Juras along the Swiss-French border near another great climb: La Barillette. It’s a tiny, single lane forest road, and I brought a hybrid bike in case it was bumpy - but this was Switzerland not France - so the surface was impeccable.
At the top it was below freezing and windy. I am really pushing this late season climbing thing. But I had plenty of layers and my balaclava. So the descent wasn’t too horrible. Another great Jura ride without seeing a single car.
In the Jura mountains directly North of Lake Geneva there are several fantastic climbs along well-surfaced, car-free roads. Unfortunately, many cyclists don’t seem to know about these roads and too many continue to climb the truck-filled Col de la Faucille.
Epic! Col du Grand Colombier 2007-11-05 09:28:38
Every year local cyclists shake their heads at cowardly Tour de France organizers that run the Tour right by this Jura giant, but refuse to climb it. It’s just too steep!
Don’t confuse Le Grand
Colombier with the more famous Tour de France Alp climb Col de la Colombiere - about 50 kilometres away (Colombe means Dove in French). Le Grand Colombier is less well known, but it’s definitely harder.
There are four great - very challenging - routes up this massif. I have previously climbed Colombier from Culoz.
It was cool and grey today but I was determined to climb this from the hardest side starting in Artemare. Almost from the start, it is a typical, beautiful deserted Jura road heading up through a forest. It’s good enough quality for a road bike but I brought my hybrid for the easier gearing.
Cyclists can be like fishermen, exaggerating the difficulty of a climb. But Le Grand Colombier is something spe
Autumn Geneva Trails 2007-11-03 09:45:17 There are endless cycling trails around the Geneva
area. It’s just a question of knowing them. Today, Doreen and I did a beautiful leisurely 2 hour ride on various paths just west of the city. The perfect weather continues.
Read more:Autumn
Le Tiocan - Jura Mountains 2007-11-01 09:08:51
Another beautiful day. The Fall colors are out in full force. Barry and I rode from Switzerland into France to the Juras near Thoiry up a quiet road to Le Tiocan - a scenic lookout point overlooking Geneva and the Lake.
There is a long forest ridge road along the Juras, unfortunately, it really isn’t made for road bikes and we had to ride several kilometres very gingerly. We plan to going back soon to ride the full length of this forest road on appropriate bikes.
INSERT_MAP
Going Postal: Through rain and snow and wind and cold 2007-11-24 07:16:58
The weather this week reminded me of the unofficial US Postal
mantra “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
Actually, according to wikipedia this is a rephrasing of a quote from the ancient Greek Historian Herodotus.
Stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing my appointed course with all speed — HERODOTUS
Anyway, I was going riding this morning even if there was a hurricane or a blizzard. Instead it was wet and grey but fun once I got moving. Great road/trail route in the hills south-west of me.
11 rides so far in November isn’t bad considering the weather.
Read more:Going
A Monster of a Climb? 2007-11-28 11:08:03
I live just a little bit up le Saleve, a giant pre-alp massif overlooking Geneva. There are several great ways to cycle up to the top (1,350 metres; about 4,500 feet). Today I explored a route that is in large part on little mountain bike paths.
How imposing is Le Saleve? It was mentioned several times in Chapter 7 of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:
“It was echoed from Saleve, the Juras, and the Alps of Savoy; vivid flashes of lightning dazzled my eyes, illuminating the lake, making it appear like a vast sheet of fire.”
“I thought of pursuing the devil; but it would have been in vain, for another flash discovered him to me hanging among the rocks of the nearly perpendicular ascent of Mont Saleve … ”
“Who could arrest a creature capable of scaling the overhanging sides of Mont Saleve?”
Like an idiot I cycled down the super steep north route - which rarely sees the sun this time of year. The road was well salted but still a lit Read more:Monster
, Climb
Pop the Champagne! 2007-11-25 07:07:17
Nov 25 - Today, on a crisp, cold, sunny day, I completed my 2007 challenge to cycle 160,00 metres of vertical ascent (about 525,000 feet or one foot for every minute of the year).
My always enthusiastic and supportive wife was out to film this (to me at least) big event and to open the champagne. I must admit I spilled most of it while riding.
Ever since 2005, If nothing else, my silly challenges have motivated me to cycle far more than I otherwise would - especially during the cold months.
Making a public declaration means failure is not an option. It’s helped me lose weight and even on the worst weather days, I always feel much happier for having ridden.
This year’s challenge really suited me, as I love to explore the endless great climbs near me in the Alps and Jura mountains. As I recently explained to a friend, often much of the enjoyment comes after the climb - the sense of accomplishment and the memories.
A few favorite photos from the year (click t Read more:Champagne
Flat Stanley Comes to Visit 2007-11-25 06:02:45
This morning I heard a loud knock. I opened the front door and there was Flat Stanley
, coming to visit me from across the Ocean!
Flat Stanley is a good friend of my Nephew Andrew - who lives in Canada. Stanley was flattened when a bulletin board fell on him. Being flat, Stanley can slide under doors, fly in the air like a kite, and even travel the world by envelope.
Flat Stanley had come to visit France and spend the day with me. We decided to go cycling. While I went to get ready, Flat Stanley hung out with my neighbour Frenchy the dwarf. He played a little guitar and even surfed the Internet.
Today was a little cold but we decided to go cycling along part of the Way of Saint James Pilgrim Trail (Chemin de Saint Jacques). For a thousand years people from all over Europe have hiked this trail all the way to Spain - to visit the church at Santiago de Compostela. Stanley took a picture with a statue of Saint Jacques.
It’s a very nice ride along a wooded trail and l
Plateau des Glieres 2007-12-05 10:37:00
On beautiful sunny days like this I often get a little too ambitious.
I have climbed the Col des Glieres from the west side a couple of times but never from the East. Both are beautiful, challenging, quiet climbs leading to the Plateau des Glieres.
As I drove the short drive to the start at Le Petit Bornand - it was clear that the snow line was lower than I had thought - I almost changed plans - but nothing ventured nothing gained.
Plateau des Glieres was the location of one of the biggest battles between the French Resistance and the Nazis in World War 2. There is a well done hike detailing the history. Click here for a Wikipedia link with more info on the history of the Maquis des Glieres. Maquis - meaning long brush or scrub - was the nickname for the French resistance - as they would often disappear into the Maquis to hide.
This is as steep a ride as you can find on paved r
Col du Sac 2007-12-02 10:28:39
Since posting my map of Jura mountain cycling climbs, I’ve had two conversations regarding this route above Farges.
I told one of my cycling partners Barry that I had climbed it a few years back, but after some discussion with Gilles here, I realized I did not know the top of the route - and it’s not in my Altigraph cycling climb bible.
So on a dark, but not too cold day, I decided to investigate.
I parked in Chancy, the very Western tip of Switzerland, by the Rhone river so I’d get the complete climb. The real climb starts at Farges on yet another beautiful, virtually car-free Jura road to no-where, with ever-improving views of the distant Alps.
Yes, it is possible to climb using a road bike, but at about 1,100 metres the road gets pretty poor. And at 1250 metres, to go higher requires a Mountain bike.
At about 1,250 meters the paved road ended and I ran into snow. I wasn’t sure where the actual Col was, but decided to explore. I hate to climb a
Le Mole 2007-11-30 10:35:13
Another beautiful clear sunny day. Today I cycled Le Mole, the distinctive triangle shaped mountain about 20 kms south of Geneva near Cluses.
This is another perfect deserted road built it seems just for cyclists. It’s extremely steep with a 5 km stretch averaging 10.5% and one full kilometre averaging 12%. But it’s a pleasure winding up through the quiet woods with periodic views of the Alps in the distance.
It goes to about 1,330 metres. the paved road stops here, although there are trails to go a bit farther - or hike up towards the peak at over 1,800 metres. But it was a cold and a bit icy - so I stopped here.
The route is paved but of very poor quality. But perfect for my mountain bike. It is NOT suitable for a road bike
The Post Ride Meal / Beer Session (and dog pee) 2007-12-16 08:16:24
It’s been almost a year since Martin saw my blog, sent me an email, and we started riding together. Since then we have become great friends and shared many cycling adventures.
I’d like to think I may have taught Martin some great Swiss cycling routes and also introduced him to the challenges of cycling uphill. But there is no doubt that he has taught me the most important aspect to my cycling routine: The post ride meal / beers session. .
While we occasionally do Pizza in a little Swiss village, we have now settled on our favorite: A Turkish Kebap and Turkish beers. We are such regulars that on entrance we are warmly greeted, beers are fetched from the fridge, the chef verifies that I still don’t want onions, and seconds later hot food is in front of us.
Don’t minimize the importance of a post ride feast. We do endless future route planning - becoming more inspired after each beer. And please, no comments about wrecking my new diet - we had just comp
Lost (and found) 2007-12-12 10:41:32 Since my diet only started yesterday, I wasn’t too worried as I had plenty of fat stores to live off. But today I got pretty lost in snow-filled woods.
I had decided to climb the mountain behind me to see some snow. I took my usual route up Le Saleve - behind my house, running into the white stuff at about 800 metres (2,700 feet). The plan was to stay on-road but when I passed by the mountain bike shortcut (at 1,000 metres) a snow plough drove out of this non-paved route - sweet!! - or so I thought.
As I slowly climbed this steep path the snow began to get deeper. After a while the ploughed part stopped. Not sure why, but I kept going - but hey I am a guy. Riding soon became impossible and I walked/jogged.
I started getting a little confused where I was and decided to follow a trail made by cross-country skis. This went through thick woods so i turned onto a little forest logging road. And I kept walking, slowly getting higher. And walking. And carrying my bik
Does My Bum Look Big? 2007-12-11 03:50:05
For the last few years whenever Winter comes along I just start gaining weight. It’s time for intervention via a mini-challenge. My primary 2008 Challenge won’t be unveiled until January 1st, but I can’t wait until then to stop this weight gain.
I know: How can someone cycle as much as me and gain weight? Three things:
Fewer and shorter rides as it gets colder
I eat way too much. Portion sizes are too big. And I love bread, cheese, pizza, bacon sandwiches, etc.
BEER!
Oh yeah, I also started cooking this amazing spaghetti pie recipe - too good and too fattening!
So starting with today’s weigh in, I would like to lose 13 pounds by end June - in time for a few days of big Alps climbs with the “Lost Boys” Tour d’Enfer - friends visiting from North America (more on that another time). The plan is simple:
Continue Riding as much as possible
Smaller portions. More salad, healthier foods, etc.
Less Beer
PS - Always wear a helmet, ev
My Weather Man is a Stud 2007-12-09 06:58:40
Gale force winds last night have tilted a tree in my backyard. I awoke and it was pouring, but I really felt like riding. The hourly weather forecast predicted two hours without rain, so I put on my cycling gear.
Sometimes the cycling Gods smile at motivation, and as i rode, the sun even made an appearance.
I returned home and it started raining again. Yes, I am feeling Smug.
PS - Years from now historians will call this my “shadows” phase.
Local Trails with Doreen 2007-12-08 08:58:58
Enjoyable, local ride with Doreen on quiet roads and trails, she was pretty brave on a couple of very steep stretches.
We haven’t ridden that much together recently, as she’s been running a lot, and I have been chasing climbs, so this was a fun change. Read more:Local
Plateau des Glieres 2007-12-05 10:37:00
On beautiful sunny days like this I often get a little too ambitious.
I have climbed the Col des Glieres from the west side a couple of times but never from the East. Both are beautiful, challenging, quiet climbs leading to the Plateau des Glieres.
As I drove the short drive to the start at Le Petit Bornand - it was clear that the snow line was lower than I had thought - I almost changed plans - but nothing ventured nothing gained.
Plateau des Glieres was the location of one of the biggest battles between the French Resistance and the Nazis in World War 2. There is a well done hike detailing the history. Click here for a Wikipedia link with more info on the history of the Maquis des Glieres. Maquis - meaning long brush or scrub - was the nickname for the French resistance - as they would often disappear into the Maquis to hide.
This is as steep a ride as you can find on paved r
Col du Sac 2007-12-02 10:28:39
Since posting my map of Jura mountain cycling climbs, I’ve had two conversations regarding this route above Farges.
I told one of my cycling partners Barry that I had climbed it a few years back, but after some discussion with Gilles here, I realized I did not know the top of the route - and it’s not in my Altigraph cycling climb bible.
So on a dark, but not too cold day, I decided to investigate.
I parked in Chancy, the very Western tip of Switzerland, by the Rhone river so I’d get the complete climb. The real climb starts at Farges on yet another beautiful, virtually car-free Jura road to no-where, with ever-improving views of the distant Alps.
Yes, it is possible to climb using a road bike, but at about 1,100 metres the road gets pretty poor. And at 1250 metres, to go higher requires a Mountain bike.
At about 1,250 meters the paved road ended and I ran into snow. I wasn’t sure where the actual Col was, but decided to explore. I hate to climb a
Le Mole 2007-11-30 10:35:13
Another beautiful clear sunny day. Today I cycled Le Mole, the distinctive triangle shaped mountain about 20 kms south of Geneva near Cluses.
This is another perfect deserted road built it seems just for cyclists. It’s extremely steep with a 5 km stretch averaging 10.5% and one full kilometre averaging 12%. But it’s a pleasure winding up through the quiet woods with periodic views of the Alps in the distance.
It goes to about 1,330 metres. the paved road stops here, although there are trails to go a bit farther - or hike up towards the peak at over 1,800 metres. But it was a cold and a bit icy - so I stopped here.
The route is paved but of very poor quality. But perfect for my mountain bike. It is NOT suitable for a road bike
A Monster of a Climb? 2007-11-28 11:08:03
I live just a little bit up le Saleve, a giant pre-alp massif overlooking Geneva. There are several great ways to cycle up to the top (1,350 metres; about 4,500 feet). Today I explored a route that is in large part on little mountain bike paths.
How imposing is Le Saleve? It was mentioned several times in Chapter 7 of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:
“It was echoed from Saleve, the Juras, and the Alps of Savoy; vivid flashes of lightning dazzled my eyes, illuminating the lake, making it appear like a vast sheet of fire.”
“I thought of pursuing the devil; but it would have been in vain, for another flash discovered him to me hanging among the rocks of the nearly perpendicular ascent of Mont Saleve … ”
“Who could arrest a creature capable of scaling the overhanging sides of Mont Saleve?”
Like an idiot I cycled down the super steep north route - which rarely sees the sun this time of year. The road was well salted but still a lit Read more:Monster
, Climb
Pop the Champagne! 2007-11-25 07:07:17
Nov 25 - Today, on a crisp, cold, sunny day, I completed my 2007 challenge to cycle 160,00 metres of vertical ascent (about 525,000 feet or one foot for every minute of the year).
My always enthusiastic and supportive wife was out to film this (to me at least) big event and to open the champagne. I must admit I spilled most of it while riding.
Ever since 2005, If nothing else, my silly challenges have motivated me to cycle far more than I otherwise would - especially during the cold months.
Making a public declaration means failure is not an option. It’s helped me lose weight and even on the worst weather days, I always feel much happier for having ridden.
This year’s challenge really suited me, as I love to explore the endless great climbs near me in the Alps and Jura mountains. As I recently explained to a friend, often much of the enjoyment comes after the climb - the sense of accomplishment and the memories.
A few favorite photos from the year (click t Read more:Champagne
Apparently, Cycling is in my Blood 2007-12-21 11:59:41
So enlarge the photo and see if you can find a family resemblance.
Today, my mother e-mailed me the photo on the left of her mother cycling with some friends. It goes great with an old photo I already had of my grandad. I love these old photos. Both taken sometime in the 1920’s, I believe.
It seems, my grandfather was quite a racer. When my mother visited in the summer she gave me a cycling medal that he had won for a 12 hour race in the 1920’s. Yikes, 12 hours!
I must admit I can really can see the resemblance between my grandmother and my younger brother (honestly Jonny).
OK, now in the photo below: which one is my grandfather? Answers at bottom.
Fortunately, my niece Molly looks ready to carry on the family cycling tradition.
Answer: My Granny is third from left. My Grandfather is on the back of the tandem.
Related PostsBarry Has New Winter GearMy Top 5 Cycling
Climbs from Lake AnnecyThe Post Ride Meal / Beer Session (and dog pee)Lost (and found) Read more:Blood
My Top 5 Cycling Climbs from Lake Annecy 2007-12-18 16:42:33
Sometimes called the Venice of the Alps, beautiful Annecy and its mountain surrounded lake is one of my favorite places to cycle (about 45 minutes from Geneva). It’s one of the most popular tourist sites in France.
When friends visit us, we usually take them here.
Sometimes, I will leave visitors to explore the historic sites and walk along the lake-front while I go off and cycle a mountain - and we then meet for lunch along side a little quaint canal.
For cyclists there is a wonderful (flat) bike path that goes most of the way to Albertville along old railway lines. But I love Annecy for the many great and challenging cycling climbs in the area.
My top 5 Cycling
climbs - all of these routes start from Annecy
#1 - Le Semnoz - Classic route
Le Semnoz (also called Cret de Chatillon) is the huge massive on the west side of Lake Annecy. The majority of the ride is through beautiful protected woodlands. The top is a small sk station.
The Climb: 18.3 kms (11.4 miles
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