Tour de France L'Etape 2006 Part One

So, you have signed up to do the Tour de France L'Etape 2006. 

If you are under thirty years of age and a hardened cycling mountain climber, then go for it.

If you are not, then you are going to need a plan and some well-thought-out goals.

Col de la Croix de Fer - Top.

Many are calling the 2026 Tour de France L’Etape one of the toughest ever. This is true, believe it.

The altitude gain and steep gradients, combined with the length of the climbs, will make this a day to remember. There are four major climbs, starting almost immediately with the Col de la Croix de Fer. Followed by the Col du Télégraphe, the Col du Galibier and finally the Col de Sarenne. 

Click the pictures for more.

Many people confuse the south side of the Col de la Croix de Fer with the Col de Glandon. Due, in part, to an inaccurate post on Wikipedia. This sign sits just to the north of the reservoir at Allemond, just where the road starts to ramp up, leaving no one in any doubt which climb this is.

The southwestern ascent of the Col de la Croix de Fer is a sleeping giant of a climb. It doesn't have much in the way of sexy hairpins, crumbling rockfaces or jaw-dropping canyons, but it doesn't disappoint.
There has been a route up over this mountain pass since time began. Much of the road remains the same compared to the old days. The only difference now is two reservoirs, one at the top and another at the bottom. They regulate the colossal snowmelt coming off the mountain tops every spring.

The total distance is 32km, and the average gradient is only 4.1%, but the figures are deceptive. The climb includes sections at 11%, and towards the top, the air is noticeably thin. This makes the last few kilometres much harder than they look. But you won't mind because by then, you will be riding up across the roof of the world.

This is where your plan and goals come in.

This cafe is your first goal. It sits right at the top of the climb. On the day, it will be very crowded, with good reason, it's a very good cafe.

Your first goal is to reach this point without completely emptying the tank.

Fitness isn't just what you can do, but how quickly you can recover from what you do.

What follows is a long technical descent down to the Maurienne valley floor and along to the foot of the Col du Télégraphe.
You will need to be recovered, refreshed, replenished and rehydrated by the time you reach the Col du Télégraphe. 

Because what follows is brutal.

This is your second goal.

Part two: The Galibier

Collection.

Col de la Croix de Fer