Hello everybody. I'm new to this forum, so I don't know if this has been done before, my apologies if that is the case.
My idea is for every one of you to design your own ultimate Tour de France stage. Designing two is even better.
The only condition is that the stage has to be physically possible, so for example 'Tourmalet > Mont Ventoux > Alpe d'Huez' does not meet this condition.
To help you getting started, there's a few sites that offer a great deal of detailed information which should be of great use: Google Maps, ViaMichelin and http://www.salite.ch, which has almost every climb in Europe with information about length, height and average gradient. Be careful though, you have to enter the name of the climb correctly, sometimes even with corresponding accents.
Since this is my idea, I'll set the example and give two suggestions for great stages.
My first would be: Vinadio - Risoul 1850 (172km)
1. The start is in Vinadio, a few kilometers into Italy.
2. Straight from the start the riders will be climbing the Col de la Lombarde (2350m, 22km a 6,7%).
3. Descent into Isola, and then on to Saint-Etienne-de-Tinee.
4. Climb of the Col de la Bonette (2802m, 25km a 6,4%).
5. Descent into Jausiers and on to Gleizolles for the next climb.
6. Next up is Col de Vars (2108m, 14km a 5,7%) with the last 5km averaging 8,9%.
7. Descent into Guillestre, which lies at the foot of the final climb.
8. Finish on top of Risoul 1850 (1850m, 14km a 6,1%).
A total of 75km uphill and 4750 height meters should be great. Both the Col de la Lombarde and Col de la Bonette have stunning views (you can find out yourself on Google) and mountains in excess of 2000m in altitude always bring that special feeling for me when I'm watching on television.
My second choice would be: Le Bourg d'Oisans - Courchevel (130km)
1. Start in Bourg d'Oisans, and first 10 flat kilometers to Barrage du Verney.
2. Climb of the Col du Glandon (1924m, 24km a 5,8%).
3. Descent into La Chambre, which lies at the foot of the next climb.
4. Col de la Madeleine (1993m, 19km a 8,0%).
5. Descent into La Lechere, and then on to Brides les Bains, where the final climb starts.
6. Finish in Courchevel (2000m, 22km a 6,5%).
A great and short stage, of which is half (65km) uphill, and over 4000 height meters have to be conquered. Especially the combination of the long and steep Col de la Madeleine and the long climb to Courchevel should be brutal.
Well, let's hope there's anyone interested in this idea, and I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions. There's a lot of mythical climbs I haven't even included, such as Col du Galibier, Alpe d'Huez, La Plagne, Col de l'Izoard, Col de l'Iseran and many more. My two suggestions were stages in the Alps, but the stages can take place in any part of France, and can be as long/short as you want.
Good luck!
My idea is for every one of you to design your own ultimate Tour de France stage. Designing two is even better.
The only condition is that the stage has to be physically possible, so for example 'Tourmalet > Mont Ventoux > Alpe d'Huez' does not meet this condition.To help you getting started, there's a few sites that offer a great deal of detailed information which should be of great use: Google Maps, ViaMichelin and http://www.salite.ch, which has almost every climb in Europe with information about length, height and average gradient. Be careful though, you have to enter the name of the climb correctly, sometimes even with corresponding accents.
Since this is my idea, I'll set the example and give two suggestions for great stages.
My first would be: Vinadio - Risoul 1850 (172km)
1. The start is in Vinadio, a few kilometers into Italy.
2. Straight from the start the riders will be climbing the Col de la Lombarde (2350m, 22km a 6,7%).
3. Descent into Isola, and then on to Saint-Etienne-de-Tinee.
4. Climb of the Col de la Bonette (2802m, 25km a 6,4%).
5. Descent into Jausiers and on to Gleizolles for the next climb.
6. Next up is Col de Vars (2108m, 14km a 5,7%) with the last 5km averaging 8,9%.
7. Descent into Guillestre, which lies at the foot of the final climb.
8. Finish on top of Risoul 1850 (1850m, 14km a 6,1%).
A total of 75km uphill and 4750 height meters should be great. Both the Col de la Lombarde and Col de la Bonette have stunning views (you can find out yourself on Google) and mountains in excess of 2000m in altitude always bring that special feeling for me when I'm watching on television.
My second choice would be: Le Bourg d'Oisans - Courchevel (130km)
1. Start in Bourg d'Oisans, and first 10 flat kilometers to Barrage du Verney.
2. Climb of the Col du Glandon (1924m, 24km a 5,8%).
3. Descent into La Chambre, which lies at the foot of the next climb.
4. Col de la Madeleine (1993m, 19km a 8,0%).
5. Descent into La Lechere, and then on to Brides les Bains, where the final climb starts.
6. Finish in Courchevel (2000m, 22km a 6,5%).
A great and short stage, of which is half (65km) uphill, and over 4000 height meters have to be conquered. Especially the combination of the long and steep Col de la Madeleine and the long climb to Courchevel should be brutal.
Well, let's hope there's anyone interested in this idea, and I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions. There's a lot of mythical climbs I haven't even included, such as Col du Galibier, Alpe d'Huez, La Plagne, Col de l'Izoard, Col de l'Iseran and many more. My two suggestions were stages in the Alps, but the stages can take place in any part of France, and can be as long/short as you want.
Good luck!
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