Col de Joux Plane - Samoens

This was our favourite climb of the trip. September 2012, the weather was perfect and the scenery and gradient were both unrelenting. We were on carbon road bikes and I took about an hour to the lake from Samoens chasing my friend who danced away from me at the mid section and was up at the lake in about 55 minutes. The view from the summit was extra special so we were well rewarded for the mental and physical sufferance we all endured. I did miss the compact crank I have on my bike at home and as such I cracked badly in the last 3 kilometres. This climb was much harder than Alpe d''Huez, but it''s the ones that make you really suffer that you never, ever forget. Highly recommended. It''s a gem!

My personal climb rating:

Rode the CJP last week, came over from Flaine to Samoens and then up. I hadn''t researched it enough and it ended up as a mental and physical battle. Great climb though, was more than relieved to get to the top!

My personal climb rating:

I''ve had the privledge of biking up many of the storied climbs in the French and Italian Alps. This one ranks right up there with the best. Having done it from the Morzine side first, I was stoked to climb it from the more difficult side. Well, the locals warned me. It was a absolute sufferfest. It did it on a Alum rental bike with a compact chainring and a 26 on the back. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to bring the pain

My personal climb rating:

Just got back from a couple f days in the Alps. Did the Joux Plaine after a hard day in the saddle the day before and on an 8 speed cassette bike which wasnt the lightest machine! Took 45 minutes in the and was raining heavy! Excellent ride although didnt look around at the scenery too much. Was a little cold so stopped at the top for a coffee! Went back the following day and climbed the over side to the top- this was easier & quicker!

My personal climb rating:

Did the col twice this week (september 2009). First time took me an hour, second after a few days training in the mountains managed to get it down to 55 minutes which I was content with. The cooler conditions the second time definately helped, although it was windy approaching the summit. I found both time that it is a good climb to find a rythm on, although the gradient is harsh.

My personal climb rating:

My bike arrived from Australia on Thursday night and I had plans to meet a group to hike from Morzine to the top of Les Hauts Forts on Sunday so on Friday I headed off from Geneva to see what the mountains are like. Ive never climbed a mountain on a bike before and knew nothing about this Col du Joux Plane thing - it just happened to be in the middle of where I wanted to go. So on Saturday morning I set off from Samoens on my way to Morzine - straight up the Col du Joux Plane. The climb is simply unrelenting - but for a first timer in the French Alps it was magic every minute. I made it to the top in a bit over two hours - on a mountain bike with a pack! I had the biggest grin when a brit told me about Lance Armstrong being beaten by the climb and then I read all of this. The descent into Morzine is the best reward (even better than the Crepe Complete at the Chalet du Col). I did get up on Sunday to do the 1500m (altitude) hike to the top of Haut Forts - magnificent 360 degree views. Im so stoked - the rest of the alps will be a piece of cake! I just cant walk for a while.

My personal climb rating:

I used this profile for climbing the col from Samoens, but the col have got 13 Kms. es very hard. For me is un Hors Category

My personal climb rating:

I started at Morzine and rode to Samoens via Clusas and the Col de Colombiere. I had a 12-21 and 44-53 on my Cervello P3C Triathlon Bike and reached the summit in 38 minutes in my first attempt. Age 47.

My personal climb rating:

I went to the Morzine in the summer 2008, taking my road bike using an 11-23 rear cassette and 53/39 front crank, at 2hrs 30 into my ride i arrived at Samoens and tackled the Col de Joux Plane. Arriving at the summit in 45minutes, which i was pleased with i am planning to go back next year to break sub 40 minutes.

My personal climb rating:

Ive done this climb a few times now (we live in Morzine!) and it never disappoints. Yes its not too high-level but the irregularity of the ascent and a couple of really tough sections higher up make it a real challenge...make sure you have best part of a full water bottle if its hot. Beautiful scenery throughout and a compulsory beer blanche at the top over-looking mont-blanc. Ive dragged over 20 guests up this climb now as part of day-rides out and times have varied from 57mins to over 2hrs, so everybody can make it! And yes I managed to break the hour barrier this year so was well chuffed.

My personal climb rating:

I went to the Alps in the summer of 2007 with a tour organised by endlessride.com, staying in Morzine. I doubt that youll find a better group of people to trust your holiday to. after a soft start, we took on the Col de la Ramaz, followed by an all day run out to Lake Geneva, Avoriaz, and on the final day, the Joux Plane. Ive ridden a few hills before, but this beats all. Its the most memorable ride Ive had on a perfect late summers morning. I used a 39 with a 12-27 and needed it, though I wouldnt have wanted a lower gear. Got to the top in a shade over 51 minutes, which, as a 41 year old club cyclist, I was very pleased with. Go ride it - you wont regret a moment of it.

My personal climb rating:

I climbed the CdJP this summer (2006) about a month before the tour. Two of us tackled an 80 mile ride around the region, including the south face climb from Sameons up to Morzine... I did it on my triple road bike (30 - 25) and was very glad of the ratios.... We managed the climb in a little over an hour about 2.5 hours into our ride.... the last two kms were the worst... The hill just keeps coming at you. It is truely awesome. Be prepared for a wild ride into Morzine, I bottled it at 49mph on the wrong side of the road and just sat up and enjoyed the view. Beat an hour on that hill and you should be riding professionally !!

A group of us climbed the Joux Plane this summer, a few days after Landis wonder ride. I managed a respectable 57 minutes (on a road bike), fastest mountain bike time was 1 hr 15 so 1 hr 05 sounds pretty good! The climb was great, some amazing views and a real challenge.

I climbed the COl Joux Plane a number of times this Summer (2006) while working in the Haut Giffre valley as a bike guide (http://www.outbreak-adventure.co.uk). I tried it on Tour day but got stopped by the police 5km short of the summit. I tried it a week later and managed my best time of 1h 05 mins, although it was a very hot day (34º). Im going back in two weeks and aim to do it in under an hour. This is on a Mountain Bike, but well suited to climbing.