Two HC (Hors Categorie) climbs in one day is certainly a top 10 kinda day! That the two Cols are the Telegraph and the Galibier makes it an easy pick for the history alone, but the day itself was the memorable part. Once again I skipped a “real” warm up figuring I’d use the Telegraphe climb to generate some muscle heat, then settle in for the bigger climb of the Galibier. Together they make the longest total climb in the French Alps, some 34.8Km/21.6mi and 2085m/6,880’ of elevation gain!
Col du TELEGRAPHE
In my mind I’d always placed the Telegraph in an equally rarified state as the other classic big Alpine mountains. Maybe it was some long ago Tour coverage on TV that gave it a mythic status, or maybe it was a lack of research about the climb itself. The reality was only slightly diluted from the dream, and very enjoyable. It was the first of a two climb “epic” and was my “warm up” climb so I wasn’t racing myself up it, taking 1:01 to climb the 7.43 miles and 2,770’ at 224Wavg. The road is really consistent and “flows” pretty well from turn to turn. But it’s also relentless, a nearly constant 7% that never weighs on the legs, but you certainly know you’re climbing. It’s Hors Categorie for a reason.
The Tour has climbed the Telegraph 37 times since it first appeared in 1911, most recently the HUGE day that was Stage 20 in 2026, with Richard Carapaz on a straight tear across four major climbs - certainly one of the best stages of the year
Col du Galibier
With the table set by the Telegraphe, I was ready for the Galibier. A nice little drop to Valloire, thru the town and off again moving UP. I felt it more than the Telegraphe, probably from fatigue and altitude. The Galibier starts at about 1393M/4,600’, high enough that altitude impacts your aerobic system significantly. Wherlin and Hallen estimated a drop of ~6.3% per 1000m/3,300’ of your aerobic capacity and around 5-8% of Threshold power. At the top, 8,500’/2600M it’s about 15% of your usual VO2max capacity and 17% on power for non-acclimatized riders. I lost about 3% on average power on the 2nd climb, although it was not a “max” effort, so I guess (?) it was ok? Felt pretty spindly legged TBH.
Most of the big climbs I have done can be divided into two parts, usually separated by a single turn that is often a bridge over a river. The Valloirette river crossing marks the turn onto the true summit push of the Galibier, about 6.3 miles above Valloire. There is still almost 5mi and 2,000’ of elevation gain remaining.
The last kilometer climbs up and above the tunnel to the “true” summit. 283’ at 9.3% done at 261W for the finale. The summit of La Grande Galibier (10,590’) sits on your left shoulder, another 2,000’ above, and the valley that is the western approach unfolds below.
I didn’t summon the courage to drop and do the South side. I regret that and will certainly make a return to make amends and find other great Passes Project climbs nearby. Col du Sarenne, the backside route to Alpe d’Huez and Col du Granon come immediately to mind as there’s always another climb to find!