Col de la Croix de Fer - Saint Jean de Maurienne

We climbed this peak before stage 11 of the tdf via Glandon.It was an epic day with the fans cheering us on and the guards making sure we stayed off the road. It was cat and mouse all the way to the top where we watch the tour caravan and the pros strut their stuff. Great atmosphere at the top. Glandon is a difficult climb the extension to the Col de la croix de fer easier but just as rewarding

My personal climb rating:

This climb is harder than it looks, especially in the heat. Between the first and second lakes on the day we climbed there was no breeze and the temperature soared. Only a few places for water you''ll want to stop at. A very beautiful and much easier climb near Grenoble I''d also recommend is the Chamrousse loop.

My personal climb rating:

Grimpé en été 2008, par beau temps. Col en deux partie. La première remonte la vallée sur une douzaine de kilomètres, cest magnifique mais assez dur car on est tout de suite en prise, avec des pourcentages de 8-9% dés la sortie de St Jean. Après cette partie cassante et irrégulière, dure pour le moral, on débouche sur un relatif replat de quelques kilomètres où lon peut admirer la fin de lascension et son mur terminal impressionnant. Celui-ci est abordé dés la sortie du village de St Sorlin et est pentu, avec des lacets sur environ 8km oscillant entre 8 et 9% sans répit. Mais on ne sent pas la douleur car le spectacle et somptueux: on sélève progressivement au dessus de la vallée de la Maurienne et lon peut découvrir les massifs environnants. Magique !

My personal climb rating:

Like Thomas I climbed this col when there were roadworks, we started in La Chambre and rode to St Jean de Mau. up the climb till then end of the village then down across the river and up the col de mollard. We rejoined on the bridge after the tunnel. We rode this on the day before the colombiere stage of the tdf last year, 34C, lovely day but a LONG way in the heat. Only the last bit above St Sorlin is anything like steep. If its summer make sure your apply insecticide, I was bitten all over by flies with very big teeth. The ride down the glandon to la chambre is epic fun!

My personal climb rating:

Tough but beautiful climb. I had to take the Mollard first ( roadworks ) and started this climb for the 16th kilometer. The large valley of St Sorlin and St Jean is nice and the climb is easy overthere, but when the road leaves St Sorlin it steepens. The road is pretty narrow from here and it bathes in sunlight which makes the climb even a bit harder. Nice climb, nice view.

I climbed the Croix de Fer coming trough the Col de Glandon first, the Glandon is a killer climb, starts with about 1 1/2 miles with about 12%, then "eases up" for the remaining 8 miles at about 9%, with no breaks, then you finally reach a valley where the Croix de Fer strats which is much easer and shorter at about 5.5% for about 4-5 miles with beautifull views. Hihly recomend a compact crankset and 27 minumun in the back.