The Glandon from the west is the first Col encountered in Europe’s most well known cycloportive event the Marmotte. Its also used frequently in the Tour de France. The ride starts in the same place as the Marmotte cyclosportive event in Le Bourg-d'Oisans with a nice flat 10km ride to the the dam of Lac du Verney. It's here where you encounter the first short hill before closing in on the main climb its self which starts just after you have passed the lake at about the 15km mark. This part of the climb is wooded & relentless as it takes you up the side of a valley until you break out of the tree line at the village of Le Rivier d'Allemont. After here you can ease off a bit & enjoy a short twisty descent at about 22km into the ride. Now the serious climbing starts again with the toughest rocky section of the climb hitting you directly. Eventually after some switchbacks you will reach the 2nd dam at Lac de Grand Maison where you can enjoy some flatter roads & another short descent before the final push to the top with some stunning mountain views of the marmots paradise of green high alpine pasture land. This is Part 1 of the 4 part Marmotte Collection. To continue please select Marmotte Stage 2 - Col du Télégraphe