PEDAL DANCER GUIDE PAGES

02 December 2011

Climbs of 2012 Tour de France - Alps

Climbs in and near Stage 10, Stage 11, Stage 12
A Pedal Dancer Map: To learn the climbs included in the stages of the 2012 Tour de France in the French Alps.
As an aid to fans visiting France this year to watch the Tour de France or for those sitting at home following the race on TV, or on their computers - I have created a visual map of the Rhône-Alpes Region of France as an educational guide. I hope that this map will give you a visual sense of how close these majestic climbs of the Tour de France are to each other. 

For years you have heard the names, now learn their locations. Every year A.S.O., the organizers of the Tour de France, manage to vary the competition by changing the order, combination, or direction that the riders race over these famous Cols.  
On the Map of the Alps Climbs in the 2012 Tour de France below, you will see 3 stages roughly plotted (Stage 10, 11, 12), including the start and finish cities, the general direction, and the major climbs on each stage. 

The 2012 Tour de France may not contain some of the most famous climbs of years past, but that doesn't mean you should not allow time to go climb one or two. I have included some of these other famous climbs (not included in the 2012 TdF route) on the map below. 

Take a closer look .... 
You might need to view, zoom-in on your computer to clearly see the map. If you would like me to send you the file, please email me (info at the bottom of the page).
Climbs in and near the 2012 Tour de France   click image to enlarge   
A PedalDancer™map
Key to map symbols on the Tour de France climbs in the Alps map above:
The climbs in each stage: 

Tour de France Stage 10: Bellegarde-sur-Valserine
Cote de Corlier: 6.4 km at 5.5 percent (762 m)
Col du Grand Colombier: 17.4 km at 7.1 percent (1501 m)

Col de Richemond:   5.1 km at 5.8 percent (1030 m)

If you are in the area also consider climbing: Col de Colombiere, Col des Aravis, Col de la Forclaz, Col du Tamie. 
Read Cycling Challenge ride reports: Col du Grand Colombier and Lake Annecy Loop via 3 Great Climbs and Col de Cuvery and Col de Richemond and The 10 Best Climbs Cycled By My Wife or a previous post by Pedal Dancer Dauphine begins tomorrow - Col des Aravis. 


Map of climbs near Stage 10, 2012 Tour de France click image to enlarge   
A PedalDancer™map

Stage 10 2012 Tour de France profile

Tour de France Stage 11: La Toussuire
Col de la Madeleine: 25.3 km at 6.2 percent (2000 m)
Col du Glandon: 21.3 km at 6.9% (
1924 m)

Col de la Croix-de-Fer: 22.4 km at 6.9 percent (2067 m)
Col du Mollard: 5.77 km at 6.8 percent (1638 m)
La Toussuire: 18 km at 6.1 percent (1705 m)


If you are in the area also consider climbing: Col du Tamie, Cormet de Roseland, Col du Glandon, Alpe d'Huez, Col du Lautaret, Col du Galibier, Col de Telegraphe.

Read Cycling Challenge ride reports: La Maurienne Valley – 7 of the best climbs in France and Col de la Croix de Fer & La Toussuire or a previous post by Pedal Dancer Col du Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer

Map of climbs near Stage 11, 2012 Tour de France click image to enlarge   
A PedalDancer™map
Stage 11 2012 Tour de France profile

Tour de France Stage 12: Annonay
Col du Grand Cucheron: 12.5 km at 6.5 percent (1188 m)
Col du Granier: 9.7 km at 8.6 percent (1134 m)
(These are short but steep climbs, and are in the same area as Stage 11, the route travels west out of the Alps to the Rhone River Valley. After this stage I would suggest a rest off the bike and some time tasting wine!)

Stage 12 2012 Tour de France profile
Area of the 2012 Tour de France, Stage 10, Stage 11, Stage 12 - Region of Rhône-Alpes:
Region of Rhône-Alpes in France
Departments of the Rhône-Alpes:
Flag of the Rhône-Alpes:
A fun post by Cycling Challenge: All About Col Signs

French Words of the Day: 

Col = collar, in cycling it means "pass"
Montagne = mountain
Passage de montagne = mountain pass
Montée = climb
Grimpeur = climber
Je veux aller au Tour de France = I want to go to the Tour de France 

Route: 

Visit the official Tour de France website for more 2012 course information. The actual stage route maps have not yet been published (Dec 2011). To read more about the climbs in the Alps visit Grenoble Cycling Pages