English Version
For the 10th edition of Le 1000 du Sud, we will make a 350 km long trip in Italy. Our route out there is completely new – with the most unlikely roads, not wider than a bike path, taking you out in the middle of nowhere ; small, steep and unknown passes ; beautiful landscapes ; many peaceful places.
On the other hand, for the French part, it becomes difficult to innovate, after ten years of existence. Multiple finishers will often feel on home turf. The Col de Turini on the way out, and the Bonette on the return, will be our only « big news ».
This time, Le 1000 du Sud will be run on 100% paved roads (quite rough in some places). Indeed, to our regret, after a ride up there last October, we removed the Col du Parpaillon, which seemed too difficult for a road bike.
Nevertheless, the 2019 route offers a great opportunity to climb this legendary pass (2637 m) : when you reach Jausiers (just after La Bonette), instead of riding down the Ubaye valley, and bypass the Parpaillon massif, just turn right... After the pass, you meet the regular route in Saint-Apollinaire. This option adds about 10 km and 1000 m of elevation gain. The key challenge is a 20.5 km long, steep and stone filled dirt road (in comparison, for those who took part in 2017, the Strada dell'Assietta is in better condition than the Parpaillon road).
So, if there are candidates, we will provide a detailed route sheet for this option, and we will accept a control photo at the famous tunnel, replacing the control photo at the sundial in Pontis.
See some pictures to get a more precise idea (recon made in the opposite direction, from Crévoux to Sainte-Anne).
Course modified on August 14, 2019
The Airole tunnel (galleria di Airole) on the SS20 (valley of the Roya) being forbidden to cyclists during ongoing work, we must abandon the idea of riding through the Vescavo pass and Olivetta. There is no choice: we will go to Italy by Garavan (as in 2015). After the Turini Pass, we will cycle down to Menton.
This resulted in the removal of the Colla (426 m) between Trucco and Dolceacqua. Since we go through Ventimiglia, there is no longer any need to take this steep pass, which allows to avoid the coastline when coming from Airole.
On the other hand, the 100 to 200 km were modified to make the beginning of the ride less difficult. Given the rest of the menu, it seemed more reasonable.
We also removed the Colletto del Moro or Pilone del Moro (949 m), between Boves and Robilante. This climb is certainly a significant experience, but the km 530 of 1000 du Sud is perhaps not the best time to try it.
So there are three "walls" that have been removed from the course: the climb to Utelle, the Colla, and Pilone del Moro. The 2019 course, with steep slopes overall, already seems quite difficult without them.
On the other hand, it would be a shame to climb La Bonette without going up to the summit: the control will be done at the top, except bad weather.
Finally (minor modification), the ascent of Colla di Casotto (1379 m) will be done by the main road, since the Mindino road is closed for work, between the exit of the hamlet and the top of the pass.
Route Details :
We will again ride towards the east, to the department of Alpes-Maritimes. We will pass Comps-sur-Artuby, Col de Clavel (1069 m), Les Lattes (1174 m), the gorge of Saint-Auban, Briançonnet, Collongues.
We will climb to Ascros (1149 m), to reach a small balcony road above the valley of Estéron (traveled last year, in the direction Toudon-Ascros), which gradually descends into the valley of the Var.
Then we will make a small detour by Levens, Duranus, and the belvedere of the Saut des Français, to join the valley of the Vésubie.
We will go up the valley of Vésubie during a dozen km before beginning the ascent of Col de Turini (1604 m).
It will then be a long descent to the sea, in Menton, interrupted by the climb of Col de Castillon (706 m).
From Ventimiglia to the foot of Col de la Lombarde, we will follow remote roads through the Ligurian Alps. These are the southern end of the Alps (the tip of the crescent-shaped mountain range). Between Col de Vescavo and Col de la Lombarde, there is no paved road that crosses the Alpine barrier, natural border between Italy and France (Col de Tende is not paved on the French side).
This trip in Italy does not include a big alpine pass, but a succession of often steep climbs (small gear recommended!)
Here is a list:
Climb to Perinaldo from Dolceacqua (about 550 m high)
Colle Termini di Bajardo (920 m), located between Perinaldo and San Romolo
Case Morini, in Conca di Bignone, a hamlet located to the side of Monte Bignone (1059 m – altitude of Mount Bignone : 1299 m)
Passo Ghimbegna (886 m)
Monte Ceppo (Croce di Praesto ou Pian del Vento, 1513 m) – the road runs below the top (altitude of Mount Ceppo : 1627 m)
Passo della Teglia (1385 m)
Colle san Bartolomeo (620 m)
Climb to Lenzari, Gazzo et Gavenola (about 600 m high), hilltop villages overlooking the valley of Arroscia
Cappella di San Giacomo (755 m), chapel built at the pass which connects the valley of Arroscia to the valley of Pennavaira
Colle Caprauna (1375 m) located between the valley of Pennavaira and the valley of Tanaro
After this pass, we will get a 15 km easy leg down the valley of Tanaro (second largest river in Piedmont), to Garessio. The traffic is quite important, since the SS28 road is one of the main roads crossing the Ligurian Alps (it connects Imperia, on the coast, to Ceva, inland, via Colle di Nava). The bike path in parallel is not paved. After Garessio, it's again time for a series of climbs :
Colla di Casotto (1379 m)
San Giacomo di Roburent (1099 m)
Colla del Prel and Prato Nevoso ski resort (1608 m) via Fontane
Colle del Mortè (711 m)
Colletto di Peveragno (686 m)
Madonna del Colletto (1305 m), sanctuary built on a ridge between the valley of Gesso and the big valley of Stura Demonte, that ends at Col de Larche (Colle della Maddalena).
We will ride up this valley to Vinadio, and return to France via Col de la Lombarde (2351 m).
We will continue with Cime de la Bonette (2802 m). In case of bad weather, we will content ourself with the pass (2715 m). Then (unless we attempt the Parpaillon), we will ride through familiar landscapes : the valley of Ubaye; Col de Pontis (1301 m); Saint-Apollinaire (1279 m); Col de Moissière (1571 m); Ambel; Col du Festre (1441 m); Col d'Espréaux (1160 m); Sisteron; Col d'Espinouse (838 m); Poteau de Telle.
