Day 5: Fri 18th June 2010
Ride: Col du Grand St. Bernard - 123 miles
After a long day spent riding down to Chamonix it was agreed that we wouldn’t be going very far the next day but around late morning we got kitted up and decided in principle that we would do the Forclaz, Grand St Bernard, Aosta and Mont Blanc Tunnel loop. We had ridden this on the 2006 trip to Chamonix.
The weather was promising to start with and we had a pleasant ride over and down the Forclaz to Martigny where we turned right up Route 21/E27.
Phil's S1000RR on the Col des Montets
Top of the Col de la Forclaz
Pete (L) and Cat in the foreground with Kyle behind (R) coming down the Forclaz
The bottom section was busy but as we climbed up past Orsieres the traffic grew less and we were able to crack on past Bourg St Pierre to the pass. In fact you start by entering the tunnel and after about ½ a mile you see the signs to “Col” taking you out of the tunnel to the base of the pass.
The pass is quite open to start with as these photos show.
Phil's S1000RR halfway up the Grand St. Bernard
It’s quite fun trying to guess which way the pass goes as it’s well hidden. Phil consistently tried to guess which way it went and was consistently wrong. Towards the top the pass tightens and narrows. This day was quite a contrast to our first visit when the pass was bathed in sunshine. The cloud layer was at around 7,000 feet and the summit was shrouded in cloud. The other noticeable feature was that the lake below the summit was frozen over.
Top of the Grand St. Bernand
We then had a choice whether to continue on to Aosta and back through the Tunnel or retrace our steps. On the basis that the weather didn’t look very nice where we were heading and it would cost us 20 odd Euros for the Tunnel we decided to go back the way we came and have a beer at the top of the Forclaz.
A fast run down the valley and Gaz and Phil had a good rip up the Forclaz with Gaz narrowly shading the contest and thereby gaining revenge for 2006.
Top of the Col de la Forclaz
The summit was very quiet with only 3 other bikers present but we still had a couple of beers before heading back to the chalet and then out to MBC for dinner and to watch the England vs USA World Cup match.
