A beautiful climb in the French Alps. A classic where many times the Tour de France has topped. But above all, a first-class calf bite, getting steeper and more vicious towards the top. It is nearly 15 kilometres of climbing. But you do so in a setting that says it all. This stunner in the region Savoie Mont Blanc is one you must have driven. Right? We went up, down and enjoyed it like never before.
Text and photos: Sander Kolsloot
Samoëns as basecamp
Our cycling holiday in France, a short four-day trip, begins each day in the French village of Samoëns. At the foot of the Joux Plane and at the foot of the Plateau des Saix. A wonderful base for exploring this famous region, which has hosted many stages of the Tour de France. It is bursting with famous cols, climbs and stunning views here. If you are going cycling in France, Samoëns is a good place to start.
To reach the day's goal, the Colombiere, we have to climb a little bit. Namely, we have to cross the hill towards Cluses. There lies the start of the climb to the Col de la Colombière. Incidentally, you can also climb the Col de Romme from here. That's a real challenge though, so we'll save that one for later.
Start quietly
The road to the foot is a bit of a bike ride, but it starts quite quietly. We ride on the D4 via Cellieres towards Chatillon sur Cluses. When the D4 turns into the D902, it is a bit of a struggle. It is a sort of motorway uphill and the traffic does rush past here. However, there is no logical other option. We take those few kilometres for granted. The climb to Chatillon is a nice warm-up.
Col de la Colombière
After the descent, we come across the 'start of the col' signs in Cluses. It takes some manoeuvring through the town, but then the road uphill looms. It's a gentle runner at first, but after leaving Scionzier behind you you don't get below five per cent. At the roundabout, on the road to Blanzy it gets really steep. Eight per cent is the norm for the next four kilometres. You cycle up between the trees, with occasional stunning views of the high alpine peaks around you.
A little rest
With 10 kilometres to go, the climb flattens out for a while. You then come towards Le Reposoir and it is a kind of plateau that only goes up at a few percent. Great to catch your breath and regain your courage for the last part. You could also stop for coffee and a pee here. There is a restaurant/cafe in the village. The view there is not unpleasant, if I do say so myself.
To the top
At Le Reposoir, where the top of the Col de Romme also exits, the climb begins again. A nice section of hairpins slowly leads you to an open plain, where you can see the summit of the Col de la Colombière. That is also the treacherous thing about this climb. You can see the summit for a very long time. But as these last two or three kilometres get steeper and steeper, that summit doesn't seem to get any closer. The percentage doesn't get below 10 per cent in the last few kilometres. It makes this climb a vicious challenge. One that brings the sweet after the sour, though. That for sure!
Descending to Le Grand Bornand
You can see the descent very nicely from the summit. It is a descent you can lick your fingers at. If you like descending, make sure you are not trapped behind a car (like me). The beautiful winding road is just asking to be attacked. It has to be said: this descent is relatively short and I am balking when we are already back in Le Grand Bornand.
Shed Café: highly recommended
If you want to catch your breath after the climb and descent in Le Grand Bornand, we have just one fat tip. Shed Café. On the recommendation of our friends from Unpaved in Eys, we were directed here. It was no punishment. Good coffee, delicious bakes, also for the vegan cyclists among us. Many things are homemade and the little terrace at the back offers enough options to get full appetite for the rest again. Only downside is the lack of bike parking. Therefore highly recommended, but the label Cycling Destination Approved, they have to work a little harder for that.
Way back
You can choose to drive back up the climb in reverse. Nice, but we opt for the route through the valley on the D12. Nice throttle through the valley, occasional descents, but mostly enjoyable. It's a lovely change from the continuous climbing on the Colombière. Before we reach Samoëns again, we have to go back over the 'little coll' we had come over as well. This time it feels heavier than the time before. It is also now the middle of the day and the sun is doing its job. But oh well. With the beautiful mountains in the background, we turn merrily. This is enjoyment.
