The 24.1km thread of road that weaves up the southern flanks of the Col du Glandon presents an ever-shifting photo reel of Alpine peaks, forested slopes, crashing waterfalls and glittering reservoirs, culminating in a euphoric summit-top panorama that stretches all the way to the giant ice-white Mont Blanc.
Situated between the Belledonne, Grandes Rousses and Arvan-Villards mountains, the 1,924m Glandon is twinned with the 2,067m Col de la Croix de Fer, which can be accessed along the same southern roads, before you simply divert east for the final 3km stretch to the neighbouring summit. The two fabled cols are together known as the Orthrus of the Alps, after the two-headed dog of Greek mythology, with the twin fangs of rock ready to gnaw at the legs of any cyclist who dares to venture here.
Not just a warm-up act
Part of the Dauphiné Alps, which erupt out of the Savoie region of France, the hulking Glandon has graced the Tour de France on 14 occasions. The gruellingly long southern route packs in 1,152m of vertical ascent and some surprisingly steep ramps. But this route’s richly photogenic landscapes and gentle average gradient of 4.8% have ensured that the Glandon is often regarded, surprisingly and inaccurately, as something of an amuse-bouche: a palate-awakening Alpine appetiser to be savoured before the hearty main course is served on the Glandon’s steeper, flashier neighbours, such as Alpe d’Huez in the south or the Col de la Madeleine in the north.
This story is from the July 2023 - 140 edition of Cyclist UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2023 - 140 edition of Cyclist UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Mur de Montrose
Anondescript city centre shortcut to the shops is destined to become a classic climb when the superstars of the peloton ride it next month
Ventum NS1
Aracy road bike with more character than its looks suggest
Colnago C68 Road
The flagship has been refitted, but it's still very Colnago
Susten Pass
The supersized Swiss climb
What we ride
Behind every cycling journalist is a long history of bikes. Some come and go-test bikes, first bikes, stolen bikes, I'm going to get into BMX-ing now bikes - but some stay, for their practicality, their dreaminess or just for the joy they elicit. Here are three of the Cyclist team's personal favourites
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE
Over the past 12 years, Italian racer Elisa Longo Borghini has established herself as one of cycling's great all-rounders. She tells Cyclist about her sporting upbringing, how she conquered her self-doubts, and how she hates coming second
New view on Ventoux
It's possibly the most famous climb in cycling, but Mont Ventoux still has some surprises in store, including this route that takes in the stunning and rarely visited Les Gorges de la Nesque
All in the mind
The mental aspect of cycling can be just as important as the physical. Cyclist talks to two experts about training the brain for when the going gets tough
A moment in time Nicole Cooke tames Ventoux
In 2006, Britain's Nicole Cooke demonstrated her absolute dominance in a bravura performance on the Giant of Provence
Veni, vidi, Vinge?
Felix Lowe makes his predictions for the Tour de France