A guidebook to cycling the 720km (447 mile) Route des Grandes Alpes through southern France. This long-distance cycle between Lake Geneva and Nice on the Mediterranean coast is suitable for experienced long-distance cyclists and can be cycled in 1-2 weeks.
- Presented in 14 stages between 31-75km (20-46 miles)
- 6 routes variants are also described
- Route takes in 17 major climbs, including the famous Col de l’Iseran (the highest paved pass in the Alps), the Col du Galibier and the Col d’Izoard
- Route passes through Vanoise, the Écrins and the Mercantour national parks
- Overnight stops include Thonon-les-Bains, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Val d’Isère, Briançon, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Sospel
- Perfect for cycling late Spring through early autumn.
- 1:150, 000 mapping and profiles are included for each route
- GPX files available to download
- Detailed information on preparation, equipment and accommodation
Spis treści
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’Is&##xe8;re
Stage 6 Val d’Is&##xe8;re to Val Cenis Termignon
Stage 7 Val Cenis Termignon to Valloire
Stage 8 Valloire to Briançon
Stage 9 Briançon to Guillestre
Stage 10 Guillestre to Barcelonnette
Stage 11 Barcelonnette to Valberg
Stage 12 Valberg to Saint-Martin-V&##xe9;subie
Stage 13 Saint-Martin-V&##xe9;subie 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 Briançon
Variant 4 Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to Col du Lautaret
Variant 5 Guillestre to Barcelonnette
Variant 6 Jausiers to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tin&##xe9;e
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
O autorze
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.