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(Article published in No. 38 of the BB magazine. Photo: Sergi Ros) is what is the collecting of ports. Once you've uploaded some of the most important ports in the world of cycling, you have to go looking for new incentives, new challenges. So when we think back to the Alps, we wanted to try lesser-known ports. And yet we need to dig into hidden corners in the maps. The major stage races are still discovering us every year a new road is not so popular for cyclists.
On our way out of the Alps, one of the highlights was the same stage as did the 2009 Tour from Martigny (Switzerland) and Bourg Saint Maurice (France) and ended with the victory of the Euskaltel rider Mikel Astarloza. 160 km out of Switzerland, to Italy and ending in France, with two ports not too well known, two false twins as Gran San Bernardo and Piccolo San Bernardo.
had been many years until in 2009 the Tour's re-introduced in its path. The Gran San Bernardo rose only four times in the past (years 1949, 1959, 1963 and 1966). Suffice to say that Armstrong was not born the last time the Tour passed by the Gran San Bernardo, and neither Indurain and Hinault the Tour on a scale never even Merckx, Ocana and put him ... It was Federico Martín Bahamontes, who else, who happened to head for the port in 1966. In the case of Piccolo San Bernardo, climbed the years 1949, 1959 and 1963.
Our stage began with the ascension as the Gran San Bernardo, a very wide road with heavy traffic and which also circulated the previous stage of the Tour 2009 with the end in Verbier where he triumphed Contador. In fact to arrive at Verbier must begin to climb the Gran San Bernardo, and after 18 kilometers of road you share a very large diversion on the left leading to the ski resort of Verbier in 8.8 miles at an average of 7.5%.
The climb to the Great St. Bernard continues to this wide road and is a very long approach to the really interesting area, which starts from the tunnel. This tunnel motor vehicles save the last mile of ascent. Although, who would want to miss that, if the best? Nothing less than 8 kilometers at an average of 8%, when we climb from 32 of Martigny. Besides being by far the most demanding stretch, the road narrows and the views are beginning to be spectacular, one would expect from a port slashing 2,500 meters. Until finally, between walls of snow, crowned the 2469 meters of altitude.
is a great incentive to think we are following in the footsteps of Hannibal, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon, with an army of 46,000 men crossed to Italy in 1800, with the Gran San Bernardo still covered with snow. At this point, it's worth doing a bit of history to discover the origin of the name of these ports and their relationship to the breed of dog also called San Bernardo. In this mountain pass, San Bernardo di Montone founded in the eleventh century a hospice for travelers and pilgrims. There have been kept since the mid-seventeenth century, large mountain dogs for guarding and protection. The existence of these dogs has been documented pictorially since 1695 and written about the hospice in 1707. These dogs will soon be used as companion dogs and specially as rescue dogs for travelers lost in the fog and snow. There are many tales about the many lives saved by these dogs from the "white death" and stories of soldiers who crossed the pass with Bonaparte's army to 1,800, in the nineteenth century, which spread the fame of St. Bernard for all Europe.
From the top, we passed the small souvenir shop, a bow and after that we went to an open area where we expect an impressive frozen lake (June 24!) that offers plenty of eye level. Shortly afterwards we see the old asylum and the statue of San Bernardo, rod in hand, that becomes a precise handle this pair of twin ports of different altitudes.
The descent from the Italian side air is very, very spectacular. Not just the last 8 km which one can enjoy, as you Swiss side, but practically all very colorful. Therefore, we have to stop at a couple of times to take pictures and record the grandeur of the landscape.
Between the Great and Little St. Bernard pass by the famous Italian Aosta valley. We left Switzerland, passed by Italy and end in France. Not bad, 3 countries in a single step, without having to teach or even identity. As I went through Aosta and shortly after the town of Arvier. Since last year, was keen to stop at this location since it is the birthplace of Maurice Garin, winner of the first edition of the Tour de France in 1903. Italian-born, but later naturalized French, Maurice Garin, as so many young people in the Aosta valley made a living across the border to work in "ramoneur" (sweep), in several French cities. Because of his humble profession and its small size (1.62 m and 60 kg) was known by the nickname of "petit ramoneur" "Le Petit Matelot" and "le blanc bouledogue."
In one of the roundabouts Arvier output is a memorial to this little bike that, in addition to the Tour de France, has other important races under his belt (Paris Roubaix in 1897 and 1898 for example). It's exciting to pay our tribute to Garin on this visit to the Alps.
no time to entertain more than they should, and we are about to start rising to the Little Saint Bernard. The numbers do not scare, but a port of 27.6 miles at an average 4.6% and no more can be neglected so far carried. The climb begins in the town of Morgex, who is also the starting point of one of the most colossal steepening of the Alps: the Colle San Carlo (10.5 km at 9.81%!). The good thing is that it is possible to climb San Carlo, down to La Thuile and then resume the climb to the Piccolo San Bernardo. It is recalled that in 2006, rose Giro San Carlo final stage in La Thuile precisely. This option would include San Carlo is not an increase in mileage, but in the accumulated slope and total hardness of the stage. We left the hardest for you. I do not hardly dare to think.
The mileage is taking its toll, and although the profile numbers are not excessive, the end of Piccolo San Bernardo is very lengthy. My memories are blurred: the miles passed slowly and could not devote any energy to contemplate the splendid scene that gave us the little brother (2,184 meters). From what I know for certain is that the Piccolo San Bernardo is one of the prettiest harbors I've climbed in the Alps. No wonder: it is said that from this point you can see the best views of Mont Blanc. Once
accumulate up souvenirs that capture with the camera: the shop, the sign of the port, another symbol of step with the typical dog, the statue of San Bernardo (two, in the absence of one) ... We have no that 31 kilometers of descent to get to Bourg Saint Maurice, a perfect base camp to meet further increases on subsequent days.
In conclusion, a round stage, with 160 km, a curious and centuries-old history, two puertazos and three countries. Not too hard, but we want to give ground war has left over. And at the cyclist has it all: with the day ahead, and just watch and enjoy the scenery, is a highly recommended step you can include in your next trips to the Alps.
Christophe Penot As we said in the Tour de France Guide 2009, San Bernardo et al are rare and mysterious. And will remain there until the Tour decided reinserted in its path. Just spend 40 years. Meanwhile, you can include in your particular track record without having to wait for the Tour's return to remember.
On our way out of the Alps, one of the highlights was the same stage as did the 2009 Tour from Martigny (Switzerland) and Bourg Saint Maurice (France) and ended with the victory of the Euskaltel rider Mikel Astarloza. 160 km out of Switzerland, to Italy and ending in France, with two ports not too well known, two false twins as Gran San Bernardo and Piccolo San Bernardo.
had been many years until in 2009 the Tour's re-introduced in its path. The Gran San Bernardo rose only four times in the past (years 1949, 1959, 1963 and 1966). Suffice to say that Armstrong was not born the last time the Tour passed by the Gran San Bernardo, and neither Indurain and Hinault the Tour on a scale never even Merckx, Ocana and put him ... It was Federico Martín Bahamontes, who else, who happened to head for the port in 1966. In the case of Piccolo San Bernardo, climbed the years 1949, 1959 and 1963.
Our stage began with the ascension as the Gran San Bernardo, a very wide road with heavy traffic and which also circulated the previous stage of the Tour 2009 with the end in Verbier where he triumphed Contador. In fact to arrive at Verbier must begin to climb the Gran San Bernardo, and after 18 kilometers of road you share a very large diversion on the left leading to the ski resort of Verbier in 8.8 miles at an average of 7.5%.
The climb to the Great St. Bernard continues to this wide road and is a very long approach to the really interesting area, which starts from the tunnel. This tunnel motor vehicles save the last mile of ascent. Although, who would want to miss that, if the best? Nothing less than 8 kilometers at an average of 8%, when we climb from 32 of Martigny. Besides being by far the most demanding stretch, the road narrows and the views are beginning to be spectacular, one would expect from a port slashing 2,500 meters. Until finally, between walls of snow, crowned the 2469 meters of altitude.
is a great incentive to think we are following in the footsteps of Hannibal, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon, with an army of 46,000 men crossed to Italy in 1800, with the Gran San Bernardo still covered with snow. At this point, it's worth doing a bit of history to discover the origin of the name of these ports and their relationship to the breed of dog also called San Bernardo. In this mountain pass, San Bernardo di Montone founded in the eleventh century a hospice for travelers and pilgrims. There have been kept since the mid-seventeenth century, large mountain dogs for guarding and protection. The existence of these dogs has been documented pictorially since 1695 and written about the hospice in 1707. These dogs will soon be used as companion dogs and specially as rescue dogs for travelers lost in the fog and snow. There are many tales about the many lives saved by these dogs from the "white death" and stories of soldiers who crossed the pass with Bonaparte's army to 1,800, in the nineteenth century, which spread the fame of St. Bernard for all Europe.
From the top, we passed the small souvenir shop, a bow and after that we went to an open area where we expect an impressive frozen lake (June 24!) that offers plenty of eye level. Shortly afterwards we see the old asylum and the statue of San Bernardo, rod in hand, that becomes a precise handle this pair of twin ports of different altitudes.
The descent from the Italian side air is very, very spectacular. Not just the last 8 km which one can enjoy, as you Swiss side, but practically all very colorful. Therefore, we have to stop at a couple of times to take pictures and record the grandeur of the landscape.
Between the Great and Little St. Bernard pass by the famous Italian Aosta valley. We left Switzerland, passed by Italy and end in France. Not bad, 3 countries in a single step, without having to teach or even identity. As I went through Aosta and shortly after the town of Arvier. Since last year, was keen to stop at this location since it is the birthplace of Maurice Garin, winner of the first edition of the Tour de France in 1903. Italian-born, but later naturalized French, Maurice Garin, as so many young people in the Aosta valley made a living across the border to work in "ramoneur" (sweep), in several French cities. Because of his humble profession and its small size (1.62 m and 60 kg) was known by the nickname of "petit ramoneur" "Le Petit Matelot" and "le blanc bouledogue."
In one of the roundabouts Arvier output is a memorial to this little bike that, in addition to the Tour de France, has other important races under his belt (Paris Roubaix in 1897 and 1898 for example). It's exciting to pay our tribute to Garin on this visit to the Alps.
no time to entertain more than they should, and we are about to start rising to the Little Saint Bernard. The numbers do not scare, but a port of 27.6 miles at an average 4.6% and no more can be neglected so far carried. The climb begins in the town of Morgex, who is also the starting point of one of the most colossal steepening of the Alps: the Colle San Carlo (10.5 km at 9.81%!). The good thing is that it is possible to climb San Carlo, down to La Thuile and then resume the climb to the Piccolo San Bernardo. It is recalled that in 2006, rose Giro San Carlo final stage in La Thuile precisely. This option would include San Carlo is not an increase in mileage, but in the accumulated slope and total hardness of the stage. We left the hardest for you. I do not hardly dare to think.
The mileage is taking its toll, and although the profile numbers are not excessive, the end of Piccolo San Bernardo is very lengthy. My memories are blurred: the miles passed slowly and could not devote any energy to contemplate the splendid scene that gave us the little brother (2,184 meters). From what I know for certain is that the Piccolo San Bernardo is one of the prettiest harbors I've climbed in the Alps. No wonder: it is said that from this point you can see the best views of Mont Blanc. Once
accumulate up souvenirs that capture with the camera: the shop, the sign of the port, another symbol of step with the typical dog, the statue of San Bernardo (two, in the absence of one) ... We have no that 31 kilometers of descent to get to Bourg Saint Maurice, a perfect base camp to meet further increases on subsequent days.
In conclusion, a round stage, with 160 km, a curious and centuries-old history, two puertazos and three countries. Not too hard, but we want to give ground war has left over. And at the cyclist has it all: with the day ahead, and just watch and enjoy the scenery, is a highly recommended step you can include in your next trips to the Alps.
Christophe Penot As we said in the Tour de France Guide 2009, San Bernardo et al are rare and mysterious. And will remain there until the Tour decided reinserted in its path. Just spend 40 years. Meanwhile, you can include in your particular track record without having to wait for the Tour's return to remember.
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