Starting the descent to Anglefort after having just completed the 2nd summit from Culoz
That's Lac du Bourget in the background
It's official. I have been named a "Grand Master" of the Brotherhood of the Feles du Grand Colombier (Feles loosely translates to "cracked", as in "cracked in the head"). Similar to the Cingles of the Mt Ventoux (Cingles = Nuts) where you become part of the club by climbing the three paved approaches to the summit of Mt Ventoux in one day.
After I did that in 2010, I came across the Grand Colombier challenge, which is completing the four approaches to the summit of the Grand Colombier , also all in one day. I'm not sure which came first, but Mt. Ventoux is more famous because of its inclusion in, and history with, the Tour de France. And, bless its rocky soul, Grand Colombier just doesn't offer a great deal of mystique--none of the 4 ascents is particularly beautiful. It's shrouded in tress, which is good to keep the sun off, but there is very little in the way of views. There are no photographers posted along the climbs to take pictures as you climb to sell to you later (like on Ventoux and l'Alpe d'Huez).
The four approaches totaled about 81 miles with 15,761 feet of climbing. By comparison, Ventoux was three climbs, 85 miles, and 14,436 feet of climbing. Thank goodness Linda was willing to stay out on the course all day watching out for me. If not for her I would not have been able to get the water I needed it when I needed it. As it worked out, I needed to refill my bottles at the finish of each ascent, but there is no water source at the top of the Grand Colombier. If not for Linda being there with fresh water bottles, I would have had to go the next 45+ minutes while descending to the next town and then having to look for fresh water once I got there. All I wanted to do when I got to the bottom is turn around and go back up. The last thing I wanted to do is spend time and energy looking around for water.
Food was a bigger problem in that I didn't know where to go in each of the towns to find good stuff to eat. I had plenty with the stuff I brought--bananas, Stinger Waffles, Skratch chews--but I usually like a little bit more.
I underestimated the difficulty and
overestimated my readiness. This was more difficult than
"Club des Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux". But I am 5 years older, and my
training was inadequate this time. It took 9.5 hours and I was
dreadfully slow. But I finished it. I started off poorly due to
problems getting to the start. I wanted to start in Artemare no later
than 0900. It was 1030 before I got on the road.
I followed the organizer's suggestion to start in Artemare first (the toughest approach), followed by Culoz, Anglefort, and
Champagne. The ascents from Culoz and Anglefort share the same final 9 kms while the Artemare and Champagne ascents share the final 4 kms.
The ascent
from Artemare was by far the most difficult. I descended
to Culoz and, frankly, I was already doubting if I could do it. The
first kilometers out of Culoz almost finished it for me in my mind.
Then it eased off and I felt better the rest of the way up. So much of
the task was in the mind.
Physically,
I had no serious problems with water (thanks to Linda as mentioned above), but my electrolyte intake was a
minor problem as cramps began in earnest in the final 2 kilometers.
Food, on the other hand, was an issue. I needed more calories. The
breakfast here at our hotel in Saint-Jorioz is not suited for long rides
by bike. And I could not find stores open in Culoz or Anglefort, and I
did not even go into town in Champagne--I found the sign for the start
of the climb and that was as far as I wanted to go. I was running out
of daylight and was afraid I was going to finish in the dark--I had to
get started immediately.
Artemare 15.9 kms (9.9 miles), 7.87% avg, 22% max (kms 9-12 were extremely tough, including the 22% stretch--I didn't realize how steep it was until it came time to descend the same road at the end of the day; I used a lot of brake)
Culoz 18.3 kms (11.4 miles), 6.89% avg, 14% max
Anglefort 15.7 kms (9.7 miles), 7.97% avg, 14% max
Champagne en Valromey (the "easy" side) 19.2 kms (11.9 miles), 6.75% avg, 14% max
I finished late. We drove home and darkness fell quickly after we left. We ended up eating at a McDonald's somewhere along the way--it's all we could find that was open. We got back too late to reasonably expect to get up early the next day to do another sizable ride. I had planned to ride a Tour route the next day, right from our hotel. But the Grand Colombier ride wiped me out and I decided to just take it easy and recover. I kind of regret that now, but at the time I don't think there is any way I could have gone out the next day and done 90+ miles and another 8k-10k feet of climbing.
Ascent No. 1
Ascent No. 2
Ascent No. 3
Ascent No. 4
I finished late. We drove home and darkness fell quickly after we left. We ended up eating at a McDonald's somewhere along the way--it's all we could find that was open. We got back too late to reasonably expect to get up early the next day to do another sizable ride. I had planned to ride a Tour route the next day, right from our hotel. But the Grand Colombier ride wiped me out and I decided to just take it easy and recover. I kind of regret that now, but at the time I don't think there is any way I could have gone out the next day and done 90+ miles and another 8k-10k feet of climbing.
Headed to Champagne late in the day to begin the final ascent.
Headed up the last few kms from Champagne.
Rounding the last corner before the final summit and then one more (steep, hairy) descent to Artemare.
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