Geneve, Switzerland: Sight seeing on our first day after arriving in France.
Tour de France TT: Here are pictures of the final TT. We were positioned in a small town called St. Etienne near the end of the TT. Pictured riders include...many of the big names...yes of course LANCE!
St. Jean d'Arve: This is a quick look at our wonderful accommodations nestled along side and about half way up the Col de Croix de fer. Situated in the heart of the Alps, in the Sybelles region opposite the Aiguilles d’Arves, Saint Jean d’Arves offers incomparable and beautiful landscapes as well as benefiting from an exceptional climate.
Thiory, France: This is where we stayed before we headed to our chalet and a couple days before we head home. This was a time to sight see, get "some" sleep and relax.
Chamonix: On our way back to Thiory, France we traveled to and spent the day visiting this exclusive ski resort area and the highest point in France......Mount Blanc. Where a "coke" was $10......and this was the off season!
THE CLIMBS!
Col de la Croix de Fer: Our first climb of the trip. 14km climb through St. Jean d'arve & St. Jean Sorline. There was construction and a bridge work that prevented us from completeing the entire climb. Profile
Alpe d'Huez: Starting from Bourg d'Oisans, it's a 14 km climb, yet the very steep.Boasting 10% - 11% grades.
Profile1 Profile2
Col de Glandon: The Col du Glandon is listed as 27 km. The gradient on the Col du Glandon increases the nearer the summit with the last seven kilometres being the toughest on the whole climb. The last two kilometres are over ten percent with stretches of 12 percent. Profile
Col de Sarenne: This was an extention of Alpe d'Huez that eventually took us down the back side. Not the best desent road conditions, but the beauty and small towns made the route a small treasure in alpes. Profile (of desent)
Col de Madeleine: As a part of the 2005 Tour de France, it starts with some hairpins not too hard (7-8%); just after, the percentage vary from 8 to 10% until you reach St-François-Longchamp (1450m). Then the slope is very regular (8%).Profile
Col de Roselend: The climb towards the Roselend was wooded and winding, maintaining the medium-steep gradient typical of this part of the Alps, about 10%. The Roselend was voted by French cycletourists as the 'most beautiful col' in France. Profile
Col de Galibier: The highest point of this year's tour. First you will have to climb to the Télégraphe Pass (1566m) which is not an impossible challenge, but you will remenber it when pain will come up in the final climb. After a short descent down to Valloire, the road is quite straightforward, following the river. That part seems never finish, until Plan Lachat (1960m) is reached. At that place, the difficulties are just starting. The slope approaches dangerously 9-10% and some places are more than 12% steep. This entire pass is one of the hardest in France because of its length as well as of the terrible percentages throughout the climb. Profile
Col de la Ramaz: As a part of the 7th day of climbing, this first climb of the day was very impressive. Profile
Col de Joux Plane: This 2nd climb of the 7th day is often compared to the Alpe d'Huez. It's steepness and consistant swtichback turns was punishing! Profile Quick Pict
Col de Telegraph: The Telegraph is just the prelude to the Galibier. Profile
Col du Mollard: This climb may not get the attention of the Tour de France, but offers the same degree of difficulty and length as any other climb in the region. Besides, it was in our backyard of St Jean d'Arve. Profile
EXTRAS
Windows: In France, the style and beauty in the country side and mountian tops is often the uniqueness of the homes.
Artsy Fartsy: Enjoy the beauty, scenery, flowers, and the unusual. As we tried to capture beauty.