So, thanks to the ongoing pandemic and subsequent “no fly” policy in the family, I got another cycling adventure this year.
As we were going to France, I have obviously and as usual dubbed it “Tour de France 2021”.
While I did feel sorry for Paula’s not getting her well deserved sun vacation, I was also excited at the prospect of having another go at the giants of the French Alps.
I was thinking (again) to plan for the Pyrenees, but I eventually couldn’t withstand the temptation of a remake of part one of my Tour de France 2014.
That was way too short – not the tour, just the first part – to tackle everything that’s in that area.
So for the Tour de France 2021, we rented an apartment in Saint-Jean-de Maurienne, which is located at the base of the…
Drum Roll
Anyone familiar with the Savoie area, will know that a bit further south, you’ll find Saint-Michel-de Maurienne, at the base of the Télégraphe / Galibier.
Or the fork to Valmeinier, which I did take on this time, unlike in 2014, when I didn’t have the time.
North of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, La Chambre is (near) the starting point for the climbs up the East end of the Glandon and the west end of the Madeleine.
Not to mention that in between those two, the Lacets de Montvernier seems to be a “must” and that (short) snake was a first for me.
I have dedicated several posts discussing the various alternatives and climbs starting at our doorstep (Col du Mollard, La Toussiere, Les Sybelles – too many) and further out.
That included a stage with the Iseran from Modane and a revisit some of the cols between Albertville (Beaufort), Moutiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
Méribel and Courchevel were new to me in that area, but La Plagne, Les Arcs and the majestic Roselend were not.
The latter I eventually climbed from Beaufort, via the Col du Pré.
And yes, a Marmotte alternative was in the back of my head again too and if I did, I would get my 10th Alpe d’Huez ascend in the books 🙂
In the menu to the right of this page – or at the bottom, if you’re reading this on your smartphone – you’ll find links to everything you never wanted to know, but maybe will dream of doing yourself one day too.
Let’s just say that this Tour de France 2021 for sure did include a jubilee 10th ascend of the Alpe d’Huez 🎉
Tour de France general (overview) page here.
