Col du Glandon 1,924m France ★★★★
Ridden...
2015
Description...
D927 Le Bourg-d’Oisans to Saint Colomban Villards
A mere 2.5 km from the summit of Col de la Croix de Fer and not really an ascent as such. From the “summit”, the road is reasonably well surfaced, albeit with gravel right at the edge of what is a fairly narrow road, windy, with tight S bends. Very open at the top too, literally carved into the side of the mountain without any real infrastructure to support the hairpins. As such, they’re tight too. No margin for error here either as there’s no barrier or fence at the side of the road, and not really much of a chance to open up, vision being limited despite the relatively open nature of the pass. Slightly further down, there are still very tight hairpins and a mixture of relatively open contour risers almost immediately interspersed with a very narrow road, there really is no margin for error. Stunning scenery and despite the road being tight at time, the valley view stretches for miles.
Towards the bottom, more of a pasture/meadow feel and better vision all round, albeit still with relatively tight bends in the road. Generally poorer surface towards the bottom with cracked Tarmac and more gravel which then improves again; all the while very narrow though, you wouldn't want to meet a large lorry or bus!
2015
Description...
D927 Le Bourg-d’Oisans to Saint Colomban Villards
A mere 2.5 km from the summit of Col de la Croix de Fer and not really an ascent as such. From the “summit”, the road is reasonably well surfaced, albeit with gravel right at the edge of what is a fairly narrow road, windy, with tight S bends. Very open at the top too, literally carved into the side of the mountain without any real infrastructure to support the hairpins. As such, they’re tight too. No margin for error here either as there’s no barrier or fence at the side of the road, and not really much of a chance to open up, vision being limited despite the relatively open nature of the pass. Slightly further down, there are still very tight hairpins and a mixture of relatively open contour risers almost immediately interspersed with a very narrow road, there really is no margin for error. Stunning scenery and despite the road being tight at time, the valley view stretches for miles.
Towards the bottom, more of a pasture/meadow feel and better vision all round, albeit still with relatively tight bends in the road. Generally poorer surface towards the bottom with cracked Tarmac and more gravel which then improves again; all the while very narrow though, you wouldn't want to meet a large lorry or bus!