Haute Route Recce ride write up.

Recce work on stage 1 of the Haute Route Alps.

Hi there everyone, this blog will not interest everyone (thats if it interests anyone at the best of times!). Today I am writing a little bit about the First stage of the 2015 Haute Route Alps.

So my first little thoughts were, where is the start and where will the timing matt be? For my best guess I believe we will be in convoy for a good few k’s. I cannot be sure of this by only looking on the map, but I think we could follow the river up the valley through Nice itself. Yes, you will be climbing steadily on 1-2% but nothing to worry about. There are potentially a few round about to keep your eye on, and if it goes the way I think maybe a section or two of cobbles.

My guess to the timing matt would be just after the roundabout where Contes is off to your left or perhaps the one after which is only a few hundred meters away. From there the climb starts for real, the climb of Col de Vence. This climb isn’t huge, around 5k at 5% average grade. Its a straight road apart from 4 (i think from memory) hairpins. You will find a few steeper pitch of 8-9% but nothing too demanding.

The crest of Col de Nice

You crest the summit just short of the village of l’escarene at 415m. A tiny descent to enter the village, 90 degree right that will be fast so be aware. then across the bridge. You then exit the village after another 300-400m and start the drag up to Luceram. This is a stunningly beautiful village though many of you like me will not be looking at it. This drag is around the 5k again and averages 5%, so will hurt but may not make selection into groups. You enter the Village with a little steeper pitch then a minute later your exiting for the first proper climb of the day, Col de St Roch. I feel this is where the first major piece of selection will be made, the road has quite a few “easier” sections but with some steeper sections. A lot of the road is also broken up so be aware to avoid any stones if you choose to use super thin tires!

After nearly 6k you summit just over 1000m and start a little rolling section until what I would say is likely to be a neutralised descent, A lot of loose gravel met me and a tiny little winding road. You are then onto what the website says is a class 2 climb, either I missed it or this class 2 is more like pimple in Haute Route standards. I believe it is 1-2k and 5-6%, following this you are onto a faster and safer descent. This takes you sort of beside the Village of Lantosque.

From Lantosque 14k of a road that looks flat but when you glacne at your speed it certainly is not! Around the 4% mark for the full 14k until you arrive in Saint-Martin-Vesubie. By this point I was just happy that I had got to the bottom of what for me that day was my last climb but on race day will be the penultimate climb! The climb of the Col de St Martin is a lovely one. Good views and if anyone in your group in August is struggling then this will find them out. You top out at 1500m, 7k at 7%, its a good testing climb. A good teaser of things to come the next day!

The descent is a excellent one too off of the St Martin, only one or two villages where there could be potential for accidents as people often take risks with pedestrians going about their daily business. Take care. So this is where my recce ended and I headed back down the valley into a head wind for 2+ hrs with (stupidly) no water. On race day we will all be heading north on what from memory (which is not good) is a 25k 2-3% valley up to the left turning to Auron. That valley last time out I had to do on my own due to a puncture, I can say from experience if you find a decent group and can inspire everyone to share the load it really saves you plenty of time.

Once on the climb you are welcomed by the news of a 5k climb with 7% grade. Certainly not awfully tough but with the day in your legs and (if you are like me) got a bit excited early, you will be rather fatigued!

So there you have it, I would not say it is the most comprehensive of recce’s but hopefully some of you can a use in it. Also I cannot guarantee the route I took was 100% as the Haute Route will take but the mileage matched so I am confident it is correct. If you want to see it on starve see attached link.

https://www.strava.com/activities/275262935

Thanks for reading as always.