Fri, 18 August 2023
Vertical Climbed: 1,684 meters (5,525 feet)
Vertical Descended: 1,663 meters
Rating: 4
I wanted to tackle the Madeleine via Montgellafrey as I hadn't done this climb before. It is a little back road but not that quiet. On paper the climb is just 7.7% over 13km. Sounds easy but there are some very steep ramps and the slope catches the sun with the rock walls reflecting the heat down onto you. By the time I reached Saint-François-Longchamp I was ready to stop for a drink and to head back to the car, some 45km ride away. I'd have been better off stopping climbing from la Chambre and tackling the slopes an hour earlier but I had the idea of doing the loop. Lesson learned. Too hot. Had a dip in a icy horse trough on the way back. Bliss.
Avoid the descent via Montgellafrey.
Insanely hot; road temperature over 40 degrees. Road surface is acceptable.
