Galibier, opening day 2018

[maxn]

We were there literally at the moment that the road crews opened the gates! Some photos:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180608/d2e5171901a8f14a6fc5760606268e5b.heichttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180608/dd56e551768920706341cccd544a1dba.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180608/b499d7564819dc68d106c14fe2bedc09.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180608/bbfa06d7ce2f83fa2537040922d315bc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180608/f9cc5ca8236637d43521e03c8c76dc65.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180608/e5bb055b6cf910efda32d20cae615e9a.heic


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[enr1co]

Cool photos- thanks for sharing!

Going to ride this in SEPT. :) I imagine most of the snow will be gone. What approach is this from?

[maxn]

Yep snow will be long gone. This is from just below Lautaret. What other cols will you ride?


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[enr1co]

Yep snow will be long gone. This is from just below Lautaret. What other cols will you ride?



Thanks!

We're cheapos so planning and support is on our own, i.e. no tour group.

Snagged a $400 RT fare SFO to CDG so plans are to TGV to Lyon and the rent a car and drive to Bourd d'Oisan where we will stay SEP 4-11 and attempt to check as many boxes as possible from the ones posted here:

https://www.morethan21bends.com/climbs.aspx

As there are more cols than days, we certainly welcome and appreciate any advice and insight from local experts as yourself on which to prioritize:)

Will relocate to Provence region SEP 12-14 to ride Ventoux and TBD rides before making our way back to Paris/CDG back to CA.

[Black Dog]

Go to Briancon and do the Izoard loop. It is a marked route ~90km and beyond spectacular. Just down the road from where you are staying.

[enr1co]

Go to Briancon and do the Izoard loop. It is a marked route ~90km and beyond spectacular. Just down the road from where you are staying.

Thanks! Have col d’izoard ride inked in for SAT or SUN!

Ride plan:

Drive Bourg D'Oisan to town of Briancon. 1 hr 8 min drive. Park Car

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Le-Bourg-dOisans/Brian%C3%A7on

Ride route shows ascent to Col D'izoard from north (start climbing out of Briancon) as shown in Col Collective vid

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/21854398/

http://thecolcollective.com/col-collection/col/Izoard-from-Briancon

The classic tour route is ascending from south. Still start from Briancon but go opposite from the map route. Ride 25 miles thru the valley floor to Guillestre and then start ascending from the south side as shown in the Cycling Weekly vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeN70bopGXk&list=PLSftGxWWC1Pz3qALHCysAOL9UY8IFlCN_&index=21

My vote is for this southern approach per the Cycling Weekly video- classic, longer but less pitch than attacking it from the north. After hitting summit its a descent back into Briancon and the car.

[maxn]

hey enr1co, I'd be happy to help prioritize! send me a PM with your email.

I've only ridden the North side of Izoard because I am ususally up there with family and its harder to get away for the entire day it would take me to do the big loop. Having said that, Ive driven then entire loop and it looks fantastic. If you do the N side, drop down to the South and look at the casse desert -- amazing.

From Bourg, once I got through the TDF fever out of my system (i.e. did the Alpe :) ) I would do Sabot, Galibier, Sarenne, shelf roads around Villard Reculas etc, Solude loop, la Berarde. Honestly I would probably put Glandon and croix de fer low on my list.