So this time we thought we would head to the Italian border to the Col de Petit St Bernard. This is 8km past the ski resort of La Rosiere (at 1800m) at an altitude of 2188m. Most of the climb from Bourg St Maurice averages 6% climb but we decided to include the steeper road to La Rosiere, via Montvalazen, that they will use in the Tour de France stage on 18 July. Wowzers – it is a tough climb and we couldn’t get anywhere near the mph that Richie Porte’s Strava showed as his average, never mind his maximum mph!
After a little picnic and admiration of the view we pressed on. Kristizna found her mojo and decided she would carry on to the summit with us afterall.
Cycling past some marmots we eventually arrived at the Hospice and had our initial celebrations. But we wondered where the sign was???? 1km further up the road we found the actual highest point of the Col.
And then for an exhilarating ride downhill all the way back to Bourg Saint Maurice. It is just a shame that we live up a steep hill so always have that to climb at the end of any cycle ride. We are even thinking of creating a Strava section for our driveway!
