Road Climber: N2A - day 12: Briancon to St Jean de Maurienne

Today takes us to one of the highest mountain passes in the French Alps, the Col du Galibier (2,645m). We also ride up to two other well known peaks in the Col du Lauteret (2,058m) and Col du Telegraphe (1,566m).

After leaving our chalet in Briancon we climbed along a broad valley to the Col du Lauteret passing through the small alpine villages of Le Monetier-les-Bains, Le Casset, Les Boussards and Le Lauzet. This was a gradual climb of 28kms with an average gradient of 3.1% (maximum 6%) and 853m of altitude gain.

I stopped for something to eat on reaching the summit of the Col du Lauteret along with a number of fellow riders. There are numerous cafe/restaurants on the summit along with a souvenir shop. I had a great tasting bowel of tomato soup. However, the coffee still remains poor.

After eating and having a quick look around I mounted my bike for the climb to the summit of the Col du Galibier. This climb is 8.5kms long with an average gradient of 6.9% (maximum 12.8%). This was yet another great climb with magnificent views from the summit. I was advised the Galibier was thought of by Henri Desgrange, founder of the Tour de France (TdF), as the jewel in his tour's crown. Not far from the summit there is a monument to Henri Desgrange.

There was again a feeling of satisfaction on reaching the summit (37.5km mark). A British cyclist took my photo at the summit. There were a lot of people at the summit and one had to be quick to get in front of the summit sign for a photo.

After looking at the views and taking some photographs, I put on my jacket for another great descent into the town of Valloire at the 55km mark of the ride.

From Valloire to the Col du Telegraphe it is an easy 4.8km climb with an average gradient of 3.4%. The approach from Valloire is by far the easiest way to ascend the Telegraphe. Hopefully at sometime in the future I will get the opportunity to do the harder ascent ( I certainly enjoyed descending down it). On reaching the summit and after taking some photographs, I decided to have some lunch at the cafe across the road from the summit sign. The weather was good at this time and I sat outside the restaurant enjoying lunch, watching the world go by and reflecting on how fortunate I was to be on this magical trip.

On finishing lunch there was another great descent into the town of St Michele de Maurienne at the 72km mark. From St Michele I rode along the Maurienne valley to St Jean de Maurienne at the 85km mark ( I had done a few detours today so had done a few more kilometres than 85km) We are camping in the Camping Municipal tonight. It had started raining about a half hour from the end of the ride and this became gradually heavier throughout the evening and the night. Luke and I were thoroughly wet through on returning from dinner in town. This was the first day we had any rain while riding.

Tomorrow is a very big climbing day encompassing the Col de la Croix de Fer and the legendary Alpe d'Huez.

STATISTICS

Distance ridden today: 88.4kms. Cumulative total: 957.3kms.

Vertical metres climbed today: 1,765m. Cumulative total: 21,858m.