Garde Grosse from Nyons via Col de la Croix is a climb in the region Drôme. It is 4.9 mi long and bridges 2198 ft of vertical ascent with an average gradient of 8.5%, resulting in a difficulty score of 628. The top of the ascent is located at 3087 ft above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 8 reviews of this climb and uploaded 22 photos.
Road names: Route des Rieux, Route des Guards & Route de Garde Grosse
3.0 by NicodeBreeThis is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch.A tough climb. Up to the Col de La Croix, the road surface is in good condition, then there are two and a half kilometres to the top of the Garde Grosse where the road surface gets worse and worse, basically a drama. With the knowledge that you also have to go down.... read more
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I really would like to rate this climb higher than 3 stars, because it is a fairly unique climb in the area. But the road surface in the last 2 or 3 kilometers is just so terrible, that I avoid going up all the way. Getting down is downright dangerous if you are on a road bike. A shame, since the gradients are really nice and challenging with many 15％ ramps and fun switchbacks. Not to mention, the view from the top is really good with an unspoiled outlook to the flat and dry landscape to the west.
As for the first part of the climb up until Barons Perche, the road is really in prima condition (relatively new asphalt much of the way). This section is in itself worth a detour, with some challenging ramps in a shielded forest.
The first third of the climb is on a gradient of around 6％, with no great difficulty. The slope gets worse in the second third, with sections at over 10％ in places, and in the final third the slope doesn't let up; there's even a section at almost 17％!
On the other hand, once you reach the Col de la Croix, the surface, which had been in very good condition until then, becomes catastrophic: tarmac becomes scarce, being replaced by pebbles of all sizes. It's hard to set the pace on a road bike, and the fun becomes much less.
Nevertheless, if you decide to continue to the top, you will at least be rewarded with a splendid view (but beware of horseflies...).
La premier tiers de l'ascension se fait sur une pente d'environ 6％, sans grande difficulté. Le pente sévit dans le second tiers, avec des passages à plus de 10％ par endroits, et dans le dernier tiers la pente ne faiblit pas ; il y a même un passage à près de 17％ !
En revanche, une fois le Col de la Croix atteint, le revêtement qui était en très bon état jusque là, devient catastrophique : le goudron se fait rare, se voyant remplacé par des cailloux de toutes les tailles. Il est alors compliqué de mettre du rythme avec un vélo de route, et le plaisir devient bien moindre.
Néanmoins, si vous décidez de continuer jusqu'au sommet, vous serez au moins récompensé par une splendide vue (mais attention aux taons...).
Zware klim. Wegdek begint goed maar de laatste kilometers soms meer gravel dan asfalt en afdalen moet langs dezelfde slechte weg.
There's no freezing rain, so I don't really feel the heat. Zwaarste stukje was tot 17％. Meestal rij je doorheen bos maar soms krijg je verrassende vergezichten.
Zware klim. Wegdek begint goed maar de laatste kilometers soms meer gravel dan asfalt en afdalen moet langs dezelfde slechte weg.
Geen gelijkmatige klim, dus je raakt niet in je ritme. Zwaarste stukje was tot 17％. Meestal rij je doorheen bos maar soms krijg je verrassende vergezichten.
Beautiful climb through wooded area, reasonably doable and good road surface except for the last 2 km. Really need an MTB or gravel bike for this, see my photos's to see what the.average road surface is the last 2km.
Prachtige klim door boomrijk gebied, opzich redelijk te doen en wegdek goed, op de laatste 2 kilometer na. Hiervoor echt een MTB of gravelbike nodig, zie mijn foto's om te zien wat het.gemiddelde wegdek is de laatste 2km.
They call it "Baby Ventoux" and it's true that this climb reminded me of the famous forest of the giant of Provence! The first 6 kilometres are superb, with tarmac in good condition and magnificent views over the valley. The last 2, on the other hand, are difficult to ride on a road bike, with patches of tarmac that can be up to 100 metres long. At the top you're rewarded with a 360° view with the Ventoux on one side and Nyons on the other! I recommend it despite the poor quality of the terrain!
On la surnomme "Baby Ventoux" et c'est vrai que cette ascension m'a rappelé la fameuse forêt du géant de Provence ! Les 6 premiers kilomètres sont superbe, avec un bitume en bon état et des point de vue magnifiques sur la vallée. Les 2 derniers par contre sont difficiles à rouler en vélo de route, avec des plaques sans bitumes qui peuvent faire jusqu'à 100 mètres. Au sommet on est récompensés par la vue à 360° avec d'un côté le Ventoux et de l'autre Nyons ! Je recommande malgré la mauvaise qualité du terrain !
A read some reviews before starting, but most of them were dated. I can confirm that the last part of the road is practically undoable on a roadbike (racefiets). There is though a nice off-road descend for mountainbikers.
If you intend to master this climb take a mountain- of gravelbike.
As when the road gets awful you have already made 3/4 of the climb you will probably finish the climb. At least we did!!
A tough climb. Up to the Col de La Croix, the road surface is in good condition, then there are two and a half kilometres to the top of the Garde Grosse where the road surface gets worse and worse, basically a drama. With the knowledge that you also have to go down.
Een zware beklimming. Tot aan de Col de La Croix is het wegdek in goede staat, daarna volgen er twee en halve kilometer naar de top van de Garde Grosse waar het wegdek steeds slechter wordt, eigenlijk een drama. Met de wetenschap dat je ook nog naar beneden moet.
Last part (from col de la croix rouge) is in very bad condition. Put holes and loose grind. Overall very nice but heavy climb. Same way up and down. On the top you have a very nice view over Nyons and if the weather is good you can also see the Mont Ventoux!
| 5 mph | 00:59:01 |
| 7 mph | 00:41:47 |
| 9 mph | 00:32:33 |
| 12 mph | 00:24:27 |
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