- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
news
Alpe d'Huez Bourg d'Oisans (copyright TheColCollective.com)Ride some of France's iconic hill climbs on traffic free roads for FREE this summer
Would you like to ride some of the finest iconic hill climbs of France without the worry of motorised traffic?
As part of the Oisans Col Series, each Tuesday this July and August, one mountain pass will be available exclusively for cyclists, with no registration required.
This is a free, non-timed get-together for cyclists, with no registration required and no set departure time.
This year the series features a new route from Freney d’Oisans up to Auris en Oisans. Refreshments will be provided on the summit – a great opportunity to discover the produce of the Oisans.
To receive updates click here for Facebook details.
On Tuesday July 7th the route to Col d’Ornon is closed to all traffic except cyclists from 9 to 11 AM between La Paute (2 km before Bourg d’Oisans) and the Col d’Ornon.
This first edition of Oisans col series takes you up to the col d’Ornon, the gateway to the Matheysin plateau, an 11km distance with a 630m climb.
You can time your climb using Timtoo Timing fixed electronic timing chips on the Bourg d’Oisans – Col d’Ornon section.
On 14 July and 18 August, take on the Col de Sarenne - the road is closed to traffic from 9 to 12 AM between Le Perron (3.8 km after Clavans le Bas), the Col de Sarenne and the Alpe d’Huez altiport.
Tuesday 21st July and 25th August see the Col du Sabot closed to all traffic except cyclists from 9 to 12 AM between Le Collet (2 km after Vaujany) and the Col du Sabot (end of the road).
The little, isolated pass is ideal for exploring during the week of the Tour de France. A fabulous view awaits you at the top of the narrow road leading up to the Col du Sabot, overlooking the Lac de Grand Maison and the Eau d’Olle Valley.
On July 28 check out the Auris en Oisans - the road up to Auris en Oisans is closed to all traffic except cyclists from 9 to 11 AM between the bridge at Freney d’Oisans and the ski resort village at Auris en Oisans.
New for 2015, this is a lovely climb up the side of the Romanche Valley.
The famous Alpe d’Huez is open for business on Tuesday 4 August - the road up to Alpe d’Huez is closed for use by cyclists between 9 and 11 AM.
Make the iconic climb up the 21 switchbacks that feature in the legendary Tour de France stage. Finally on August 11th you can take on the Col de la Croix de Fer - the road is closed to all traffic except cyclists from 9 to 12 AM between Rivier d’Allemont (10 km after Allemont) and the Col de la Croix de Fer.
Included in both the Tour de France and La Marmotte, the Col du Glandon and the Col de la Croix de Fer are unmissable experiences in the life of a cyclist. From the top, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view.
For all details and maps click here.
Latest Comments
- SaveTheWail 9 min 31 sec ago
"Although other neighbours were outside, nobody else had thought to alert her mum and siblings because there was no car on the drive so they didn’t...
- cyclisto 29 min 13 sec ago
I am very nose sensitive, so for cleaning chain and cogs I use as hot water as my hands can tolerate and dish soap.
- Tech Noir 44 min 56 sec ago
"Aldi apologised for the blocked bike racks and said "we have spoken with the store to make sure that the cycle bays are clear for use at all times...
- Dogless 1 hour 7 min ago
It's a straw man because trying to support Israel's actions whilst attempting to remain logical and compassionate is impossible.
- essexian 1 hour 21 min ago
Interesting..... but perhaps I'll wait for the LIdl or Aldi copy and save a couple of hundred quid.....
- marmotte27 1 hour 48 min ago
The change in running shoes has come in the last five years or so, the TdF analysis goes until 2010, so before, as I pointed out above....
- hawkinspeter 8 hours 46 min ago
It's not censored if you just pirate it
- stonojnr 9 hours 51 min ago
an example of Kesgraves "best cycling infrastructure in the country" https://maps.app.goo.gl/GsCMbzDUTPdq59qS9
- wookey 9 hours 59 min ago
It turns out that that is national police policy. We found out from this process that there is national 'secured by design' policy which causes...
Add new comment
11 comments
Wot a brilliant idea!!!!!!
There are lots of cols in the Alps that have traffic free days:
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/cycle-the-alps-traffic-free-heres-how-2...
My top 5:
Stelvio (from Prato)
Agnel (from France)
Esische (from Ponte Marmore)
Giau (from Cortina)
Sampeyre (from Elva)
French cols are amazing, (Galibier, Turini, Tende, Parpaillon, Allos, Vars, Bonette, Champs, Cayolle, Izoard, Cormet de Roselend, Tourmalet, etc...) but then the Italian ones just seem even more amazing
yeah I found that funny it is like wow you have a 1L engine behind you !! I could not make it up the Galibier so that photo will have to wait, the best Col though I think is the Madeline
NIce idea but better if the cols work closed for a whole day or specific sunday or weekend even better ………..
Hope they will do the same in the Pyrenees.
Even if descending on most of them you can see enough far in front to give it a go when clear, or do what I did and take risks for the thrill. If you are driving up the cols then most would expect. In fact I found the motor cyclists more an issue as they tried the same thing as us.
True. When I went a couple of years ago, the cars were fine but there were a load of foreign (i.e. not French) motorcyclists who would pass close. What amused me (a bit) was them taking photos of each other in front of the Col du Galibier sign. I'm thinking "Hey, we actually pedaled up here. WTF?".
Hang on, I've ridden a few of those when open to traffic and it was far nicer than riding in the UK. OK, the descending might be nicer when you know there's nothing coming the other way, but generally it's just a much nicer place to cycle.
Admittedly the road surface on the Col du Sarenne is almost as bad as anything in Surrey. It's a nice climb though and then traverse to the top of Alpe d'Huez and descend via Villard Reculas .... Be there in a few weeks
Brilliant idea. Chapeau, Frenchhumans.
Doubt they get many complaints from the locals eh ? Well given the impact of the Tunnel collapse guess they need to get as many as possible there.
One more reason to live out there eh ?
When the Col de Sarenne was included in The Tour Chris Froome and Tony Martin both criticised it as a dangerous road for descending. Martin said: "The road is old and narrow. It’s a bad road, no guardrails. A mistake could see you falling straight down 30 meters.”
I don't know if the road has been improved since then. Hopefully it will be easier to stay away from the edge outside of a pro pelaton.
The Col de Sarenne is a beautiful road to climb and descend. Maybe not as a peloton of 180 racing it but it is no more dangerous than any of the other roads in the area.