Glandon/Galibier loop question
Mike Jacoubowsky
help with this, and it is sorta TdF related.
My son and I will be in the Alps for the final week of the TdF, and I'd
like to do the 100 mile loop of the Col du Glandon and Galibier. We'll
be staying just up a bit from LaGrave, and the plan is to ride
clockwise, dropping down into Bourg d'Oisans, then up the Glandon.
Here's the question. Dropping down the other side of the Glandon, you
can either take the road (which becomes D927) straight into Saint
Etienne de Cuines and then the long valley road up to Saint Michel de
Maurienne (which is what most rides, including the Marmotte, seem to
do)-
http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/bike-ride-map/france/bourg-d039oisains/551469
or stay on D926 and take that into Saint Jean de Maurienne, shortening
the valley road to the base of the Telegraph/Tourmalet.
The latter loop you can see here-
http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/bike-ride-map/france/le-bourg-d039oisans/22118580
The profile for the latter loop doesn't look like there's any additional
climbing, but looks like it might be a more-interesting ride since it
spends less time on the presumably-less-interesting valley floor.
Thanks-
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
A. Dumas
> Here's the question. Dropping down the other side of the Glandon, you
> can either take the road (which becomes D927) straight into Saint
> Etienne de Cuines and then the long valley road up to Saint Michel de
> Maurienne (which is what most rides, including the Marmotte, seem to
> or stay on D926 and take that into Saint Jean de Maurienne, shortening
> the valley road to the base of the Telegraph/Tourmalet.
What is the question? Both routes are pretty. This is via the Glandon to
St-Etienne, or La Chambre, really: http://www.salite.ch/F/glandl.gif and
this via the Croix de Fer to St-Jean: http://www.salite.ch/F/croixs.gif
The latter is longer, slightly busier and has a couple of tunnels and
some modest climbs on the descent. I think the Marmotte opts for the
Glandon because of traffic and tunnels on the Croix de Fer. Yes, the
valley road (D1006) is not ideal.
Mike Jacoubowsky
"A. Dumas" <alex...@dumas.fr.invalid> wrote in message
news:4e076523$0$4352$e4fe...@news.xs4all.nl...
Both routes are almost exactly the same, mileage-wise. I was thinking it
would make sense to trade away 6 miles of D1006 in favor of mileage on
D926. I've ridden both sides of the Glandon and my "fondest" memories of
the Saint Etienee de Cuines side were my first experiences with melting
pavement. But I haven't ridden the backside of the Croix de Fer, and
we're bringing lights for tunnels anyway (we're planning on doing a ride
up D219 on the opposite side of Alpe d'Huez, although I confess those
low guardrails and steep drop offs give me the creeps).
A. Dumas
> But I haven't ridden the backside of the Croix de Fer,
So, easy decision. The tunnels are well-lit, by the way.
Bob Martin
Last time I was there the D926 up to CdF was closed and the detour was
via the D110 and D80. Interesting roads!
Scott
Anton Berlin
wrote:
> Sorry this is a bit off-topic but figure someone here might be able to
> help with this, and it is sorta TdF related.
>
> My son and I will be in the Alps for the final week of the TdF, and I'd
> like to do the 100 mile loop of the Col du Glandon and Galibier. We'll
> be staying just up a bit from LaGrave, and the plan is to ride
> clockwise, dropping down into Bourg d'Oisans, then up the Glandon.
> Here's the question. Dropping down the other side of the Glandon, you
> can either take the road (which becomes D927) straight into Saint
> Etienne de Cuines and then the long valley road up to Saint Michel de
> Maurienne (which is what most rides, including the Marmotte, seem to
> do)-
>
>
> or stay on D926 and take that into Saint Jean de Maurienne, shortening
> the valley road to the base of the Telegraph/Tourmalet.
>
>
> The profile for the latter loop doesn't look like there's any additional
> climbing, but looks like it might be a more-interesting ride since it
> spends less time on the presumably-less-interesting valley floor.
>
> Thanks-
>
> --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycleswww.ChainReactionBicycles.com
Well whatever you do ride a full size freeking bike and not some 16"
drug runner favored by Amsterdam dope gangs.
Years from now looking back you'll want to see photos of yourself on
top of a pass with a best friend (your regular road bike) and not some
mutant midget justified by saving a little bit of baggage fees.
Mike Jacoubowsky
news:a092fd11-fdd5-48f0...@y13g2000yqy.googlegroups.com...
Well whatever you do ride a full size freeking bike and not some 16"
drug runner favored by Amsterdam dope gangs.
Years from now looking back you'll want to see photos of yourself on
top of a pass with a best friend (your regular road bike) and not some
mutant midget justified by saving a little bit of baggage fees.
========
Anton: I hear you, loud & clear. And that was my attitude for years.
But-
#1: It's not about airline fees. I mean, sure, that's annoying, but
dragging full-sized bikes through airports, cabs and trains, as well as
a whole lot of walking, can really cause you to question whether
bringing a bike at all is worth the hassle.
#2: There are few greater joys in life than having people make fun of
your silly bike and passing them handily on the climbs.
#3: I read someplace it's not about the bike?
Steven Bornfeld
> http://youtu.be/l8UCFk2S96w
>
They really really should hire Cleese for the Tour.
Steve
--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001