Fri, 3 July 2015
Vertical Climbed: 1,501 meters (4,925 feet)
Vertical Descended: 1,501 meters
Rating: 5
The col de Chamrousse (1795 m.) can be climbed by road bike from 3 sides. By far the hardest is the tiny but ueber steep route from Sechilienne. From the base of the climb to the col de Luitel (1272m) is just under 1000 meters of climbing on 10% gradients with a number of ramps of 15%. However apart from the first 200 meters of vertical it is in the shade of a forest. After the col you join the main road to Chamrousse, largely 6-7% ramping up to 8-9% over the final kilometers. The descent via the west side is on a long, winding and fast road back to Uriage.
On my first attempt I shunted the final climb to the Col de Chamrousse as it would have added a lot to the total ride and I didn't have the time. Very impressed with the climb to the Luitel, fantastic little road but you'll need some watts to get up.
Warm and dry.