Giles Belbin 
Cycling the Route des Grandes Alpes [PDF ebook] 
Cycling through the French Alps from Lac Leman to Menton/Nice

Abounding in history and dotted with cols coloured by stories about the world’s greatest cyclists, the Route des Grandes Alpes (Rd GA) is a must for competent, hill-hungry cycle tourers. Covering some 720km from Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) to mediterranean Nice, the route is described across 14 stages and can be completed in anywhere from 7 to 14 days – depending on how you’d like to spread out the 17, 000m of climbing. Six variants are also described, ensuring no holiday is compromised or cut short if a col on route is closed.
Clear and concise route descriptions are provided for each stage (and variant), together with 1:150K mapping and extremely helpful gradient profiles. Also included is invaluable practical advise – everything from bicycle selection (including e Bikes) and nutrition in the saddle, to logistical planning and accommodation options.
Showcasing some of the world’s best Alpine cycling, the Rd GA takes in 17 major climbs, including the famous Col de l’Iseran (the highest paved pass in the Alps), the Col du Galibier (favourite climb of Tour de France founder, Henri Desgrange) and the Col d’Izoard (synonymous with cycling legends Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet). It also passes through some of the most spectacular national parks in France, including the Vanoise, the Écrins and the Mercantour.

Daftar Isi

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Ride planner

Alternative schedules

Introduction

History of the Route des Grandes Alpes

Connection with the Tour de France

Natural environment

When to go

Riding in the mountains

Bike selection and preparation

e Bike riding

Touring options

Accommodation

Food and drink

Getting there

Getting around

Getting back

Safety and emergencies

Using this guide

The route

Stage 1 Thonon-les-Bains to Cluses

Stage 2 Cluses to La Clusaz

Stage 3 La Clusaz to Beaufort

Stage 4 Beaufort to Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Stage 5 Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Val d’Isère

Stage 6 Val d’Isère to Val Cenis Termignon

Stage 7 Val Cenis Termignon to Valloire

Stage 8 Valloire to Brianon

Stage 9 Brianon to Guillestre

Stage 10 Guillestre to Barcelonnette

Stage 11 Barcelonnette to Valberg

Stage 12 Valberg to Saint-Martin-Vésubie

Stage 13 Saint-Martin-Vésubie to Sospel

Stage 14 Sospel to Nice

Variants

Variant 1 Saint-Jean-de-Sixt to Villard-sur-Doron

Variant 2 Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne

Variant 3 Val Cenis Lanslevillard to Brianon

Variant 4 Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to Col du Lautaret

Variant 5 Guillestre to Barcelonnette

Variant 6 Jausiers to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée

Appendix A Bike shops and Bosch e Bike charging stations

Appendix B Recommended cycling essentials checklist

Appendix C Useful resources and essential information

Appendix D Glossary of cycling specific terms

Tentang Penulis

Giles Belbin is a cycling writer and author based in southwest England. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Cyclist, Ride Cycling Review, Cycling Weekly, Procycling and Rouleur. He first rode his bike in the French Alps in 2006 while watching the Tour de France, falling off his bike near the top of the Col du Galibier in exhaustion. He has been a frequent visitor ever since.