The final long grunt of this year’s Act One is the ski station of La Toussuire-Les Sybelles. This is where we’ll encounter all manner of carnage along the 17.6km to 19.1km (unsure which route we’ll be riding) of road to the finish. Whichever way we climb, this last effort of the day will be 1145m in elevation gain, for a grand total on the day of approximately 84 kilometers of road that goes up, equaling 4600 meters of vertical climbing. If you haven’t started your hill repeats…well, it’s too late, but do them anyway!
Like the col before it, La Toussuire-Les Sybelles has been used just once before in the Tour de France, whose sordid story I have already summarized.
So that’s it for Act One, les gars. Climbing these 4 giants is sure to be an experience of epic proportions. Look for me on the day; I will probably look exactly like this, without the impressive legs.
The Vicious Cycle 
I hope you will have the energy to appreciate the view while you climb!
I’ll take on-the-roll photos and enjoy them after the race.
Awesome.
More info (hope you don’t mind) – http://www.velonomad.com/must-read/letapes-du-tour-2012-etape-alpes-and-etape-pyrenees/
Sure, Tim. I never mind a little shameless promotion 😉
Did I just scream “OMG, Ouch! Aaaaaargh, keep me away from those climbs do not let the idea enter my head” so loud that you heard me there across the Atlantic? 4600M of climbing, largely steep!!
Good on you … ride ride ride climb climb climb go gogogogogogo Gerry!
I think you need to come over here for an Etape some day, Suze. They’re often in the Pyrenees, if that makes it sound any better!
Yup, I’d love to come over for an Étape …. and scream and yell “go Gerry, climb Gerry.” Come to think of it, an entire contingent should fly over, and a certain Steve should be in charge of t-shirts.
You’re right, Suze, although I meant that YOU should ride it 😉 And Steve already has the template made for the t-shirt, so I agree, he’s the logical choice.
Please can we have some posts about gentle slopes and downhills now so that I feel less inadequate!
OK, coming soon!