Sure, I’m nonetheless right here! My first journey not ranging from house because the finish of the latest French lockdown. The route? Col de la Colombière “the onerous means” through Romme.
These would be the function two climbs throughout stage eight of the 2021 Tour de France. See backside of publish for the stage profile.
The climb to Romme is steep! It begins as just a little cliff highway proper beside the autoroute. The second the highway turns up there may be this welcoming signal:
The native joke in fact is “Tous les chemins mènent à Romme” (All roads result in Romme). 🙂
There are maybe 15 hairpins on this difficult, quiet 9 km climb.
Word, it’s attainable to go above Romme to 2000 metres (Tête de la Sallaz). But it surely requires a mountain bike. See right here for a map and outdated trip report.
Col de la Colombière has made many Tour appearances, however 2009 was the primary time it took this “third means” through Romme.
From Romme (1300 metres), one can nearly see Col de la Colombière far within the distance:
The route descends Romme for a number of kilometres and joins the primary route (a part of the Route des Grandes Alpes) at Le Reposoir. Right here it’s 7 more difficult kilometres uphill.
The ultimate 3 kilometres get steeper on a enjoyable near-cliff highway. No matter wind path ….. it’s all the time in opposition to the wind. 🙂
I noticed fairly just a few cyclists:
Me, waving on the digital camera!:
Lastly, because the map under reveals, I merely descended down the primary north facet again to the beginning.
This was onerous work however enjoyable. It’s been too lengthy between adventures. I hope everyone seems to be nicely and getting vaccinated quickly. Doreen and I obtained our second doses final week!
For gravel followers: See this unbelievable route that climbs Colombière, briefly descends, traverses unpaved to the superb Col des Annes, then returns to Reposoir on troublesome again valley path. Very good.
Stage 8, upcoming 2021 Tour de France:
