Today we will challenge ourselves over one of the biggest climbs in the French Alps, it stands at 2,642m - Col du Galibier. It is a common inclusion in the Tour de France for it connects the Southern and Northern Alps.
Monumental Climb Today we’ll challenge ourselves over one of the biggest climbs in the French Alps, it stands at 2,642m. Col du Galibier is a common inclusion in the Tour de France for it connects the Southern and Northern Alps. In a couple of days, a stage of the Tour will be decided over this …
Monumental Climb
Today we’ll challenge ourselves over one of the biggest climbs in the French Alps, it stands at 2,642m. Col du Galibier is a common inclusion in the Tour de France for it connects the Southern and Northern Alps. In a couple of days, a stage of the Tour will be decided over this summit, their third summit above 2,000m within that stage.
We have 20 km to warm up before our climb starts, which goes for another 40 km to reach the summit. Select a low gear and chip away at the climb. Besides a couple of 10% grades to Le Freney, the gradients are moderate until we reach the village of La Grave. After here, it starts to climb a little steeper. You’ve been climbing for 25 km, so fatigue starts. With 8 km to go we reach Col du Lautaret, and from here we sore up towards the final summit. Mark this monumental climb off your bucket list.
Hours to get here, much less time to descend off it. When we descend into Lautaret, we’ll head towards Briançon on the opposite side from where we climbed. We will be able to stop for a late lunch and nice cold drink, before making our final transfer to our next hotel.
Our hotel for the next three nights has the luxury of being located near tomorrow’s finish and the start of the following stage. Each night we will enjoy a home cooked meal and celebrate our achievements for the day, and contemplate tomorrow’s planned rides.
TODAY IN THE RACE
Stage 16: Nîmes to Nîmes, Flat, 177 kmToday’s stage will be for the sprinters and is entirely within the department of Gard. The highlight of the parcours will be the peloton riding over the famous Pont du Gard.