Alps - Day 1 Cols du Croix de Fer and Glandon

Tuesday 23rd June
Col du Croix du Fer and Col du Glandon

Statistics
Distance - 63km
Height - 6175ft
Ascent - 4525ft
Max gradient - 12%
Avg gradent - 5%

It was a brilliant sunny day as we left the village to climb the two cols of Croix du Fer and Glandon. The early morning cloud invertion had the clouds slowly crawling up the mountain sides as they clung on to await a certain fate - burn out.

With similar trepidation, we turned the pedals slowly, not sure what 4500ft of ascent would feel like or even a 12% gradient. The climb to the village of Allemonde wsa gentle and the crystal clear green flow of melted ice water running alonng side the road was a welcome distraction to the epic climb ahead. The gentle climb was short lived. As we entered the village our eyes were met with a wall. This was a 'barrage' built to hold back millions of gallons of mountain water to generate electricity and our first experience of a switchback corner was the ascent of this dam wall. From here the road headed along a viaduct across the surface of the water similar to the Oban road north of Tyndrum.

A quick glance as we passed the hydrostation and we were into the trees and the never ending climbing began. I had a compact chainset fitted to the Battaglin before leaving the UK and already it is proving an excellent investment. It is not long before the small cog in the front and the big cog at the back are getting to know each other. Over the coming weeks they will spend a lot of time together! At several points of the road workmen make repairs to teh the ravages of winter. Not unusual I hear you say. But these guys were harnessed in an abseiling manner to allow them to work on the cliff faces at the side of the road. This road is usually closed October until May with several signs indicating that care should be taken as the road is may be submerged in torrents of water following heavy rain as the water barges its way through any obstacle in its haste to return to the sea.

At the next village, I was hoping Mrs B was felling ready for a coffee stop and enjoy the fine expansive view across the valley through the gap in the trees. Not so, keep going, was the instruction. I allow my mind to wonder at what she had been fed at the girls boot camp in Arran earlier in the month................ but kept that thought to myself.

It is with shock and dismay that we arrive at the sign indicating 12%. Not unreasonable I hear you asy given the guide book had said so. However this was a 12 % down to the valley floor and then back up the other side!

After 3 switchbacks, we came across the first sign warning of a potentially submersible road ahead. This was not in the guidebook.

A long slow climb through the trees continued until we climbed above the tree level. Awesome scenery exploded before our eyes. We approached another 'barrage' but not before stopping ot read a sign commemorating the Marquis (French underground) defense of the pass against a strong German force trying to escape capture by the allies.

A further three switchbacks and we have climbed to the level of the dam. It is so green. There is an enormous waterfall that drops dramatically from a cliff face. The mountains are incredibly green and the road winds itsway up into the distance. On the horizon is a building not too far from teh skyline. This looks like the col and lunch, given elenses were given a miss.

The long climb passes quickly as lunch is 'wound in'. The ski lift stations accessed from the other side of the mountain become visible on the mountain peaks. And then we have arrived. The views from teh Cols are stunning. Photoshoot complete and it is back down to the Hotel Glandon for lunch in sheltered sunshine 100 yards below us.

With teh thought of a 12% climb on the way down, the foor of champions ws duly ordered. 2 times omelettes with bacon cheese and a dose of pomme de terre. The Duracell would be proud.

The wind was now in your face and chilly so wind proof jacket were the order of the day for the 50kph descent.

Apart from the continued stunning scenery, the only other point of note was two men- middle aged- going commando in white lycra shorts. It was not a pretty site . Nothing left to the imagination, Mrs Bigman put the foot down to pass them on the 12% climb and return her gaze to the stunning scenery around us. It was assumed they shop at the same place as the fit one!

A few beers, a bottle of Pinot Noir, and a perfect day is complete.

Tomorrow is the big one - Alped'Huez.

PS if you want to see the pictures in full size just double click on them