"Cycling the Col de la Mad ..." a Rhône-Alpes Travel Page by KaiM

90 degrees Fahrenheit and route leading up to 2000 meters above sealevel. A constant ascent of 19.5 kilometers. How stupid can you be to do that trip with your bicycle? :) Well, I just had too.

The Col de la Madelaine is one of the most famous mountains often ridden by the Tour de France cyclists. And just hours after those athletes passed by, I tried my own luck and started the (tor)tour(e).

The first kilometers were allright. The route starts in the town of La Chambre and gains height immediately after leaving the town. After some sharp curves you can catch the first views across the valley.

I tried to stay in the saddle. For me that is easier than standing on the bicycle while riding uphill.

Drinking is really important. Without enough water you will loose your power and energy. Suffering is the result of that. And probably you won't make it up the mountain without enough to drink.

Another fault you can make, is not to eat. Unfortunately that was my mistake. I had real problems from kilometer 14 to the finish line. Some power bars would have helped...

The cap I am wearing on the picture I received from a team car of the T-Mobile racing team a couple of hours before.

Having supporters is great. My girlfriend followed me by car and handed me new water - and gave me mental support.

Yep, at the end I made it and reached the pass summit of the Col de la Madelaine.

Which mountain is next?