Tour de France Cols

Monday, August 1, 2011

Great Day in the Alps!

Headed over to Taninges for first big day since Marmotte and Etape and recovering from a post TdF week cold! Taninges is around 30 mins from the Chalet and a great option for a change of scenery.

The weather has improved dramatically that last few days and today was the first day...since I can't remember....that you didn't need to wrap up for the descents.

From Taninges I headed to Mieussy and over the Col de la Ramaz (used in the TdF last year) before the dog leg left turn (blink and you miss it) half way down the descent onto the Col de la Encrenaz and scene of my crash back in June. Managed to stay aboard this time and dropped down into Morzine and then up through Montriond, passed the beautiful lake of the same name and onto the Col de la Joux Verte. I'd only descended this before. It comes out at the top of Avoriaz and is a much better option than the main road climb. I guess the attraction of the main road is its regular appearance in the Tour, however the Joux Verte is 100% more spectacular as it winds its way up past the lake and some waterfalls before passing through a small village (watch the goats and small children) and onto the final 4kms to the summit. Dropping down into Morzine for a quick snack and then onto the much steeper Morzine side of the Joux Plane. Every time I looked at the Garmin it was over 10% (up to 14%) for the first 3 kms. 55 mins later I'm over the summit, refilled water bottles (tap behind cafe) and on the descent.

Down in Samoens its a scorcher and after a quick coke stop its a flat 10kms or so back to Taninges. Job done.