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MTB and Cycling in Oisans |
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Season's events
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MTB and Cycling in Oisans |
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Season's events
Climbing
When going up these legendary mountain passes, cyclists tend to greet each other, since they all experience the same thing: it’s tough, it’s long, but it’s so beautiful that the sweat you drip on this road with its average incline of 7 percent will not be regretted! You will find nice roads with little traffic, with the Mont Blanc in the background when you go down the Col du Glandon.
From Bourg-d’Oisans follow the RN91 towards Grenoble. When you get to Rochetaillée, follow the D526 to Allemont. Cycle towards Le Rivier d’Allemont - Grand Maison. Then cycle along the Grand Maison barrage, turn left and follow the road to the Col du Glandon (D927). Then go on to Sainte-Marie-de-Cuines. From Sainte-Marie you can take the D74 to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. Then follow the D80 to the Col du Mollard - Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, then follow the D926 to the ’Croix de Fer’. Go back down to Allemont on the D926.
Possible alternative
From Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, from the round-about decorated with a giant Opinel knife you can follow the D926 towards the Col de la Croix de Fer. By taking this route, you can gain a few kilometres compared to the D80 leading up to the Col du Mollard. However, due to the tunnels and frequent road works, this route may be more tiresome.
The first road up to the Col du Glandon was opened in 1898 and it was linked up to the road to the Croix de Fer in 1912, the construction of which began in 1900. This road was then only a smugglers’ pass. Its construction required the creation of a number of tunnels to avoid the glacial rock-bar of Belleville and to form a link with the valley of La Maurienne. The road to the Col du Glandon has been part of the Tour de France ever since 1979. Richard Virenque was twice winner of this part of the Tour de France and Heulot was at the front on the way up to the Col de la Croix de Fer in 1999. You may wish to visit the church of Saint-Saturnin in Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves which is covered with magnificent mortuary crowns made of forged iron and glass pearls.
"The bicycle is the only human invention which deserves a medal with no flip-side." Jean- François Brisson
