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It's looking more and more unlikely that I will not get mountain biking in the alps this summer. But it's looking possible to get out on the road bike for a week in June some time. Finishing in interlaken as we have some friends there. So, where would you suggest going? Ideally looking for something lake based. But open to suggestions. Last time we started in the Annecy area. We are driving so transport is not an issue. Thanks in advance, for any sensible replies 😀
We're headed that way this July. A side trip to the Eiger during a ride to Garda from Zurich. This is a good site if you started at Verona
http://italy-cycling-guide.info
and there's some info on riding the lakes around Como. The 2000m+ Spulgen pass and then the Steingletscher pass takes you north west towards Grindelwald and Interlaken direction. There's also a 2000m col at Planggerli that looks spectacular, 2 lakes near the top. Found most of our planned route looking on google earth.
Post up any good stuff you find : ) or any pics after the trip.
I've only done a wee bit of road riding in the Alps. My advice would be to make sure you have choice of loops without driving for miles (we didn't!)
Base yourself in Bourg D'Oaisan where there are more classic Tour climbs than you can shake a mini pump at.
Borg d'Oisans is a great spot. The out-and-back to La Berarde is usually missed as it's not a TDF climb but it's one of the most stunning rides in the Alps for me. Like a quiet road into a mini-Himalaya, takes you into the Ecrin national park surrounded by 3000m+ peaks.
Grand Route des Alpes with a finish in either Menton (easy) or Nice (harder as you climb up behind Monaco from sea-level). It has it's own website with advice on accommodation and the route. Hope you like going downhill really fast as I saw the other side of 40mph without trying many times.
Went to moraine last year - used forever-morzine . com who were brilliant
i was never taken with the Italian lakes, found them busy and roads a nightmare.
If your anywhere near Meiringen, it gives you access to the big 4 (susten, grimsel, furka, gothard) plus others (andermatt, oberal) plus lots of swiss signed road rides on dedicated towpaths/cycle paths ...
We were based at Valloire for a holiday.
Great road riding in every direction,with lots of the classic Cols close by.You do have a big hill finish at the end of the most days though ,unless you just ride up and down Galibier 🙂
I stayed in Alpe D'Huez last year for La Marmoote. Now that was a big day out, with Glandon, Telegraphe, Galibier and AdH. If you fancy a real blast, descending AdH and riding back up it again is great fun, and doesn't take too long.
One issue with staying in the valleys (say Bourg D'Oisans) is the heat - according to my Garmin it was 40 deg C when I rode through there last July. Better I think to stay in one of the ski resorts if like me you're not too good in the heat.
Excellent, this is exactly what I was hoping for. More suggestions welcome 🙂
Base yourself in Bourg D'Oaisan where there are more classic Tour climbs than you can shake a mini pump at.
+1 stayed at the top of the Col Du Mollard, for a week, t'was epic.
Glandon, Col Du Mollard, Croix de Fer, Madeleine, Telegraphie, Galibier and the infamous 'church climb' (so awesome, and way shorter than the rest)all within riding distance. Alpe D'Huez is a bit of a trek, but a reasonable drive away if you don't fancy the hideously long ride.
Church Climb: http://inrng.com/2014/01/roads-to-ride-lacets-montvernier/
Fly to Milan, then come to Lugano in Switzerland. Lugano is a small lake side city. It has some of the best road biking there is. You have lakes and mountains and the weather is generally very good.
If you are feeling lazy you can choose lake side rides,which are quite flat lugano lake to start, you can also ride to lake como and lago maggiore. You get the opportunity to be in both Swizerlnd and also Italy in the same day, you can take youzr lunch in italy as its a little cheaper. If you want to challenge yourself there are also many mountains to climb, it is no problem to to do 3500 in a day or more even if you like.
Once you finish here you can move along the valley towards Biasca. There you can do a nice 160 km loop. Lucomagno pass, gottard pass also. Then you can shift over and do the nuffunen pass. All have excellent views and are quite a challenge if you don't get in the hills much. from that area its very easy to get to interlaken where you are heading.
Montvernier is on my list for next time.
Col d'Izoard is well worth a look, have a Google for La Boucle d'Izoard.
Head out from Briancon and go anticlockwise to climb the south side, take the chance to stop off at La Casse Deserte and the Coppi/Bobet monument on the way up.
Saves the descent 'til last, and a cracking one it is!
I live in Davos and spent most weekend in the summer playing on my motorbike or mtb, there are some awesome passes around here (and a lake).
There is also some great xc mtb rides from Davos, including a great 70km loop which climbs 2k, mostly on walking paths so you rarely see anyone...
But I would recommend staying in St. Moritz, two amazing local passes, the Albula pass and the Julier pass are simply stunning.
A clasic ride in Davos would take you up the Fluela pass.
Then a short (20 mins) drive is the Stelvio pass which was on top gear as one of the greatest roads.
I am sure there are areas that are as nice and have what you want, but St. Moritz is a great town!
Another vote for Bourg-d'Oisans.
There's a nice loop up Alpe D'Huez and over the Col de Sarenne, back along the D25 to Mizoen then the D1091 back to Bourg.
Highly recommend this too...
Col d'Izoard is well worth a look, have a Google for La Boucle d'Izoard.
oh and this was the view at the top of the Col Du Mollard.
It's one of them panorama thingys, so you'll have to click
That d'Izoard loop is probably my favourite day on a bike to date.
It was right on our door step too, very happy memories 🙂
+1 for Bourg D'oisians. Some of the best riding the alps has to offer.
Also consider Morzine for the road. Access to several TDF climbs: col de joux plan, Avoriaz and Col de Columbier
You want WOW? You need to do the Stelvio:
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If you base yourself in Bormio you can also do the Gavia for a bit of iconic cycling history:
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Spin - have you got any more info re cycling there? Planning on heading that way in July - staying in Bormio. Any advice re accomodation / rides / places to eat etc?
(Sorry, slight thread hi-jack!)
In Bormio there is the hotel Baita dei Pini which I have used. Its a super friendly hotel which is well geared up for cyclists. It has a secure bike room and has it covered by CCTV. They do a price with evening meal included. Call and ask.
Rides are very straight forward once you get there. You also have the mortitrolo to climb once you have done both sides of the stelvio.
Went to Bourg D'oisans last year for ADH etc, similar this year except staying at Vaujany, last week June.
http://www.skipeak.net/cycling.html
Proper Luxury. Their June package is only 68Euro/night full board inc late pasta lunch in the valley with an uplift to the chalet if you need/want it.
We'll be riding the La Marmotte course, then other rides around ADH. Back road climb to ADH via Villard Reculas is EPIC.
An easy drive. If you land in Calais 9am local time you'll be at Bourg by 6pm.
Go as late as poss. Last year Galibier didn't open until 20th June! (Which is the main reason we're going back)
bruceandlauren - Member
+1 for Bourg D'oisians. Some of the best riding the alps has to offer.
Also consider Morzine for the road. Access to several TDF climbs: col de joux plan, Avoriaz and Col de Columbier
We did Morzine last July, was awesome, got passed by FDJ on the Avoriaz!
An easy drive. If you land in Calais 9am local time you'll be at Bourg by 6pm.
Only if you don't stop! Better I think to allow a bit more time, it makes the journey more relaxing. Or if you're in a hurry, drive through the night. We got from Bristol to AdH door to door in about 14 hours.
Yup, there were still huge banks of snow there in early July, even though it was touching 40 degrees in the valley floor.Go as late as poss. Last year Galibier didn't open until 20th June! (Which is the main reason we're going back)
As a local (well 1 1/2 hours form Bourg d'Oisans) :D.....
Whilst Bourg d'Oisans etc are great for all the big classic cols I would suggest the Ubaye valley above Barcelonette. It's quieter, the cols are great, you have small and big (Bonette Restfond- the highest public road in Eurpoe) and it's easier to make loop rides.
The scenery is very south med. It's always my first suggestion.
However without thinking about it too much, interlaken is then quite a bit away.
Anyway you'll have a great trip wherever you ride! Have fun.
errrr...'June' is quite early. I've skied the col du Galibier in June...