Robbert spent two weeks on the road around Bourg Saint Maurice (BSM). In a series of three parts, we take you through the most beautiful places around Bourg Saint Maurice, one of the most beautiful basecamps in the Alps, from where you can cycle lots of great climbs. Today, in part 2, you will read more about the Cormet de Roselend, one of the legendary climbs from the Tour de France. Will you join us on the trip again? And enjoy cycling with us around Bourg Saint Maurice and to the Cormet de Roselend?
Cormet de Roselend
Time for the real thing! Beforehand, I am fairly apprehensive about this climb. Two days before, I had already driven up the Cormet by car to go hiking in the mountains around the lake. The first stretch is really steep, with a large number of vicious hairpins. But well, as we say in Twente: Often too scared.
When I cycle away in the morning, the weather is still bright, although some clouds appear behind me. At the second roundabout in Bourg Saint Maurice, I turn right onto the Cormet de Roselend, where the road climbs immediately. Again, the first stretch is through the forest. In front of me I see some ladies and a gentleman cycling and have a benchmark to go to. At the section with hairpin bends, I cycle behind the lady at the back. In my best French, we greet each other and chat briefly about the weather and the ascent of this col. However, I don't have much breath to talk at length. I pass the lady and enter the more open part of the Cormet. At that moment it clouds up behind me and suddenly a clap of thunder rolls between the mountains. The cows in the meadow below me all jump up and seek shelter. It also begins to drizzle slightly. Shit, what am I going to do? Do I turn around and head back to the campsite or cycle on? In front of me, however, it is still brilliant blue, behind me it is dark.
Cormet de Roselend, Bourg Saint Maurice, France
- Distance: 19.2 km, Elevation difference: 1135 m, Average gradient: 5.9 %
Moving on is the only option
I decide to step up a gear and just continue my route. I probably stay just ahead of the bad weather and apart from a single drop, I keep it dry. In the distance, I see the summit of Roseland and I am truly overwhelmed by the splendour of the mountains around me. How small a person can feel sometimes. At the top, I take a photo of the col, drink a coke and decide to drive on towards Lac de Roseland. Indeed, when I passed there two days earlier, we passed a small restaurant, where I stop to have something to eat. Then I ride back up before descending 19 kilometres to Bourg Saint Maurice. The first stretch (up to the forest) is wonderfully clear, so the speed is brisk. I have confidence in my bike and go faster than I would have dared beforehand. I decide not to tell my wife 'at home' what my top speed was. The hairpin section is also a great descent; assess the turn, brake, steer and accelerate again. I notice that it has rained a lot here, because the road is still wet. So it has been a good decision to cycle up. When I get back to the campsite, I have gained 1250 altitude metres and cycled 47 kilometres. A fine holiday ride!
La Rosière and Col de Petite Saint Bernard
The ride I enjoyed the most. The climb to Col de Petite Saint Bernard is 23 kilometres long, but nowhere really super steep. A real runner to train your climber's legs. You have constant mountain scenery around you. The pink painted road is the famous reference point just before La Rosière. My route does not actually go along this road, but I do pass it. For the feel of it, I descend the bit down, only to cycle it up anyway. After La Rosière, I cycle the last 6 kilometres to Col de Petite Saint Bernard . At 4.4% average, this stretch too is fine to cycle and the views are phenomenal. On the left is the valley, where the road leads right along the precipice, in front of you d etop of the col and on the right the 'wall'. At the top, I pass the old Hospice Col du Petite Saint Bernard and cycle on towards the sign for Italy, to the Aosta Valley. I turn around here, but this is also
Cycling routes around Bourg Saint Maurice - Cormet de Roselend
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