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July 26 Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier
In the absence of a climb up d’Iseran, Izoard or Croix de Fer, I was really looking forward to smashing the Galibier. Like, alot.
We drove to St Michel de Maurienne (5 mins from St Jean de Maurienne) and then headed straight up the Col du Telegraphe, which is a really tough little climb up to I think 1570m. There is good coffee at the top. I sat on Captain Chuckles’ wheel like a sneaky Menchov the whole way.
We stopped then descended into the delightful Valloire, which is just magnificent.
Epic ski terrain, really awesome town. We stopped again for bad coffee and headed up the Galibier. It was all shi!ts and giggles at the start until we got to the flat. After that, what had been a moderately tough climb, got epic. We turned a hairpin, and then started heading, up. And up. And up. Up. More up. Then some more up.
Here we come Big Dog. Get ready.
The climb is seemingly endless. All you can see is a moonscape of towering peaks, and you wonder when it’s going to end. It is a big, big climb (but apparently tougher from the Briancon side – I’ll be back next year to find out). I eventually got to the top and Mike followed about 7 mins behind.
We snapped some photos off, just shocked at the scenery, then went down to the Galibier tunnel entrance for Coke. I was operating in serious calorie deficit. We met some Kiwis from across the dutch (hahah, it’s ok, you can admit I am HIGH-larious) and had a talk. We then took off back to town and flew up the Telegraphe.
After the ride we took off for Chamonix, where were just SHOCKED at the scenery. We parked up for the night, cooked some pasta, had a beer at the pub, and slept by a very busy road.
On the road.
Glaciers.
Meterological station at Chamonix.
Don’t forget the (totally awesome) Touring the Tour ebook is almost done and will available in the new few weeks. This baby is around 60 pages of tips, tricks and traps around Touring the Tour and cycling in France. There’ll be an early bird special so subscribe here or below to get in the loop.
Similar Posts:
- July 25 – Transfer to St Jean de Maurienne via Glandon and Croix de Fer
- July 23 – High French Alps transit to Bourg d’Oisans
- Video from the Galibier
- France 2010: Final Day – the Aubisque and Marie Blanque
- July 20, 2009 – L’Etape du Tour and Bourg St Maurice
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