2012 Day 11 in France - Le Col de la Croix de Fer

The weather looked good for today so I decided to ride up le Col de la Croix de Fer.  On the way up to it you can also hit the top of le Col du Glandon, the tops of the two cols are within a mile or two of each other, they both cross over the same ridge line.  The ride started with the usual descent down the Col d'Ornan, and then a left turn at the bottom of the col onto the main road down the valley and up to the town of Allemont.

Coming into Allemont

The switchback road up onto the dam above Allemont.

The view across the reservoir towards le Col de la Croix de Fer.

Both cols are 'Ouvert' - Open

Blue skies and a flowering bush at the bottom of the road up to Le Rivier d'Allemont

You may recall that I had made the climb up to Le Rivier d'Allemont five days ago, but had turned back because the weather didn't look very promising.  Today the weather was perfect.

War Memorial in Le Rivier d'Allemont

After Le Rivier d'Allemont the road makes a serious descent down four or five hairpin turns into a valley at the bottom of the col.  At some point in the past the original high road along the edge of the col collapsed.  Now you loose a big chunk of the elevation you had gained on the climb up to Le Rivier d'Allemont and then have a steep climb all the way up to the dam and the reservoir that are bring you closer to the top of the col.  The view below is of the big drop in the road after Le Rivier d'Allemont.  You have to climb back out of the same hole on the way back down from the summit.

After a great deal of climbing the dam comes into sight.

You ride alongside the reservoir for a mile or so.

The white dot about the size of a pinhead in the distance is the small chalet restaurant at the bottom of le Col du Glandon.  To the left behind it is the Glandon.  To the right it is another mile or two up to le Col de la Croix de Fer.

 Sheep crossing the road.

Best usage of signage ever.

The view from the road while waiting for the sheep to go by.




More Sheep.

Giant bicycle sculpture at the top of le Col du Glandon.  The Tour came over it this year.

View from the Glandon.

 

Me at the top of the Col de la Croix de Fer

Le Col de la Croix de Fer

View of the Switchbacks below the dam on the way down into the big hole between the dam and Le Rivier d'Allemont

This was my biggest day on the bike so far, 52 miles with about 7,400 vertical feet of climbing.  But the day went great and I felt fine at the end of it, which is a good thing because I have lots of riding left and some bigger days ahead.