Chamonix - Le Tour - col de Balme |
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| Overall Rating | |
| Technical Difficulty | |
| Aerobic Difficulty |  |
| Distance (mi) | 29.6 |
| Elevation Range (ft) | 3389 - 7499 |
| Total Ascent (ft) | 8708 |
| Total Descent (ft) | -8646 |
| Total Ascent Distance (mi) | 13.9 |
| Total Descent Distance (mi) | 15.7 |
| Moving Time | 04h 38m 52s |
| Stopped Time | 01h 07m 07s |
| Average Speed (mph) | 5.1 |
| Average Moving Speed (mph) | 6.2 |
| Stops | 44 |
| Start Time | 2007/06/16 01:28:53 |
| Finish Time | 2007/06/16 07:14:52 |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (US & Canada) |
Description
Rode from Chamonix to Le Tour, then took the cable car to the Col de Balme, where the real fun would start: miles of great alpine singletrack, with incredible views.
The Chamonix valley is real steep, the town is at 1000m (3300ft) with Mont blanc towering above it at 4800m (15700ft), meaning there is more than 12000 feet (!) of total vertical. To get from the valley up the mountain and to the interesting trails there are the following options: the cable car (ahum), to ride up endless, steep and not particularly interesting fire roads, or to ride/hike-a-bike up impossible steep and rocky (hiking) trails.
At about 2000m, the steep valley walls are smoothening out a bit and the trails become more suitable for regular riding; and they are quite awesome: some very rocky and technical, some smooth, mostly with amazing vistas.
On this ride I went from the col de Balme a bit into Switzerland, then to the col des Posettes, back to Balme, did part of a downhill course, then along the Petit Balcon trail back towards Chamonix.
Nearby trips
| Distance to (mi) | Name | Created by | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | ChamonixSEPT08 | endlessride |
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| 2.2 | Chamonix - around town | dirk |
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| 3.8 | TMB Day 4 | endlessride |
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| 4.5 | Chalets de Loriaz | endlessride |
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| 5.4 | Brevent to Sixt | philingle |
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| 5.9 | Tacul, 2008 | endlessride |
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| 5.9 | Mt Buet 3109m | endlessride |
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| 7.1 | Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc | inforun |
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| 7.2 | TMB Day 3 | endlessride |
|
| 8.0 | Commune | endlessride |
|
Map
Map Markers:Printable Maps
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Pictures
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Road to Argentiere, looking back to Mont Blanc
2007/06/16 02:03:49
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French-Swiss border
2007/06/16 03:06:02
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2007/06/16 03:11:40
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2007/06/16 03:32:10
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2007/06/16 03:33:26
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Trail from Col des Posettes
2007/06/16 03:35:08
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2007/06/16 03:40:49
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2007/06/16 03:53:02
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2007/06/16 03:55:44
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2007/06/16 03:59:09
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2007/06/16 04:47:12
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2007/06/16 04:59:58
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2007/06/16 05:00:13
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Refuge near Col de Balme
2007/06/16 05:14:20
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2007/06/16 05:29:38
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Petit Balcon trail
2007/06/16 05:58:36
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2007/06/16 06:13:44
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2007/06/16 06:17:55
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2007/06/16 06:18:31
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