Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand (1,618m)

Tour de France 2018

This year’s Tour de France followed a route from Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand (Stage 10). Le Gros Acountable and I had planned a easier route that would

D12 in heaven

Taking the D12 from St Jean de Six towards Bonneville and you will be pinching yourself. Heaven is indeed called the D12. New tarmac freshly laid for the TDF. Stencil marks still outline the crystal clear central road markings.

Le Gros Comptable

All good bike rides should top for coffee and cake. This ride was no exception.

Ascending the Col de la Colombière (16km)

Col de la Colombière is a mountain pass that connects Cluses in the Arve valley with Le Grand-Bornand in the Bourne valley. The hill climb starts gradually through the small village of Marnaz. A signpost reminds you that you’ve still got another 14km and 1,000m of climbing to go…

There are two distinct sections to this long and tough climb, above and below the village of Reposoir (the “resting place”).

The first section is in the forest, climbing along the flank of a valley and gaining almost 400 m over 6 km. The grade increases steadily, first 3.5%, then 4.5%, then 7%, to finish with 2 km at 8.5% before the road levels out to a gentle 2% – 3% on the intermediate plateau. 

From Reposoir the sharply steeper road takes a few loops to gain height quickly, and then clings to the NW side of the valley, climbing steadily. With 3 km to go it rounds a shoulder and the vista opens up to reveal the distant summit. The chalet is clearly visible as you climb in low gear up the interminable final section, where the gradient reaches 11%.

The landscape is rocky and mountainous, and it is with a real sense of achievement that you finally arrive at the summit.