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I'm planning on riding the Tour du Mont Blanc in the next 2 or 3 weeks but undecided whether to go clockwise or anti-clockwise. I've read various accounts of anti-clockwise rides and that was my original intention but the bike shop mechanic in Chamonix tells me clockwise is better riding.
I need help making my mind up.
Ta
I've ridden it clockwise and run it anti-clockwise and if I was riding it again I'd do it clockwise again. Why? Well, you're meeting most of the walkers face on which makes things more pleasant. I also think it makes for slightly easier climbs to and better descents off some of the cols. Other bits direction makes little difference.
It does depend a bit on exactly what variations you're doing.
But whatever you do, under no circumstances be tempted to cross the Fenetre d' Arpette with a bike in either direction. Especially not in the afternoon heat. Only an idiot would do that.
Clockwise
Clockwise.
I'd say anti clockwise, but as said above, totally depends on which variation you take. Main argument being the route from champex to boviner was re made in 2013 and is now an ok climb or a dull descent, and the longer descent towards martigny isn't to great either, so I'd rather climb that bit and instead have every descent all the way round being really good!
Whichever way you go, it's a great ride. Have fun and don't worry too much about what others are telling you.
Ps, mind the UTMB is in 3 weeks time, you don't want to be riding the TdMB during a week with 10,000 competitors over the 4 races using the trail!
@Grum p
Going anti-clockwise, how did you descend from the Col de Balme? The main path that goes over the Aiguillette de Posettes?
Also from Courmayeur, did you follow the walking route to the Rifugio Bertone?
Just curious!
Clockwise
Anti-clockwise. My effort is here:
@spin When I rode the TdMB as a route I climbed from the Tete noir a few km down the road from Trient to the col du posettes, (missing the col du balme completely as it's a horrendous climb from Trient) then descended the posettes trail, but that was in September, in August the posettes trail is part of the bike ban and properly off limits (local sore point, please don't ride it in July or August)
If I was riding the tour in August i'd descend from near the top of the vallorcine gondola down to buet then over the col du montets and follow petite balcon sud home.
Over in Italy, we cheated and rode up Val ferret on the road then climbed up past the elina at the top. Unfortunately the storms at the start of this week caused a huge landslide in Val ferret blocking the road and killing 2 tourists. The climb initially following road and double track out of courmayeur and then up to the bertone is the way I'd go. Still a brutal way up (especially after obligatory pizza...) but a beautiful traversing singletrack at the top opposite the dent du geant, grand jorasses etc.