Stage 6 of my Tour de France brought me another col on the VeloViewer “100 Greatest” list.
As I couldn’t find a sensible route that would bring me another and I didn’t want to transfer by car, I cycled it from both ends.
With a short intermezzo up and down a split to spice up the stage, which I regretted once I started the return…
We transferred to Saint-Jean-de-Sixt for the easier end of the Col de La Colombière.
As it needs to be cycled from the Scionzier end for it to count, I plotted a route from there first, but that didn’t make a lot of sense.
Starting in Saint-Jean-de Sixt gave me the opportunity to add the Col de Romme to the list.
From Reposoir, that is – I might revisit Cluses for the other end of it…
There’s no summit sign, but the sign to the town sufficed, although it was located a little lower.
Down in Scionzier, I almost panicked at the sight of a “Route Barrée” at the start of the VeloViewer entry.
But after we investigated the situation, I stopped the Edge at the beginning of the road works, rode around to the other end and then started the Edge again.
The road was only closed for about 75 meters, but recording a deviation would mean the VeloViewer segment would not be followed and it wouldn’t count…
Anyway, this end of the Col de la Colombière is really a lot tougher, the increasing heat not making it easier.
The markers in final three kilometers read 10, 10 and 11% – in a blistering sun.
I once again met a nice guy with whom I cycled along for a few kilometers.
As I forgot to eat – and drink – while we were chatting, I had to quickly down a banana, a gel and a lot of iced tea before “attacking” that final.
We played leapfrog to the summit and he won by a handful of seconds 😎
I then went down towards Saint-Jean-de-Sixt again, had my brake pads replaced in Le Grand-Bornand, shot a picture of the Col de Saint-Jean-de-Sixt (956 meters) and finished at the parking lot there.
Total for today: 70.8 kilometers and 2,274 meters of D+.
