Col du Grand Colombier - Artemare

I did this climb from a short way above Virieu-le-Petit, on the same day that Le Tour de France 2012 came hurtling over Le Col du Grand Colombier up from the classic Culoz side and over to Belllegarde. I actually retraced the route from Bellegarde to the col just in time to see them power up over the pass. See my video clip on Climbby bike! The atmosphere was electric and I was spurred on by the spectators and the police anxious to keep the road clear; so much so, that I hardly noticed the steepness of the climb. At the top I was like a kid scrambling for handouts from the publicity caravan and energetically cheering Wiggins in the yellow jersey. Afterwards I joined the hundreds of other cyclists and caravans in a friendly mass descent back down the extremely steep road to Anglefort, which is another side to climb the grand Colombier!

My personal climb rating:

I totally agree with Jules B! Extremely tough ride from this side. But in my opinion, Ventoux is much easier. Ventoux is longer, but with more parts which are not so steep, so where you can get a bit of relaxation. Only the final few kilometers of Ventoux are as steep as this Colombier. Because you already climbed 25 kms on Ventoux, you''ll experience them as undoable.

My personal climb rating:

Assuming this is the nightmarishly difficult side of the Grand Colombier, which winds through the forests above Virieu-le-Petit, with often unfeasible steepness, I did this climb last Summer (August 2009). What the stats above fail to mention is that there are a number of lengthy stretches at 22% gradient, which make this route up the Grand Colombier the legend it has become. I did the climb on an old bike of my fathers, but fortunately sporting a triple chainset, and found it extremely tough. Ive never done Ventoux, but this climb must surely rival it as a challenge, and surpass it in terms of sheer brutality of gradient. In some places, just forcing the pedals round one more revolution was a major feat. Views from the top are stunning, of a beautiful area which (thankfully) is largely undiscovered by tourists and the overseas cycling masses. I saw one other cyclist at the top, and then descended via the Culoz route, which is a slightly shallower but still very substantial climb, and a route popular with local racers and events, born out by the extensive chalkings on the road. Strongly recommend any of the four climbs up Colombier, as well as cycling in general in this beautiful part of France.

My personal climb rating: