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Hi All,
I’ve got a channel tunnel booking for the end of July / start of August which appears to be on again. Normally we’d take out camper and move around the Alps. However as the wife is pregnant we’re not that keen on sharing showers / toilets so we’re now looking for an Air BnB (as we can essentially self isolate, just in a much nicer environment!).
Not totally sure where to go though. Normally we do a mix of hiking, rock climbing, via ferrata, canyoning, scrambling etc. We’re not sure how much of that she’s going to be up for (probably a bit of hiking and a lot of sitting around reading books!) so I’m going to take my road and possibly mountain bike (she doesn’t cycle and this was her suggestion to stop me getting bored!).
We are not entirely sure where to go though – options are:
Briancon – been there lots and know the area. Haven’t done any cycling around there – did the Galiber last year on a hire bike which was nice. Looking at a map looks like I could tick off alpe d'huez and Col d'Izoard, which look good. Downside is that it’s a looooong drive to do in a day (with the camper we generally break it up over two days). Weather likely to be good but not sure if there is much mtbing around there or if the lifts will be open.
Thônes area – nice area probably got a load of hikes we could do. Not sure if it’s any good for cycling? Easy access to Lake Anncey to go for a swim. Couple of hours closer than Briancon.
Bourg st maurice area – good for mtbing, nice walks nearby. Been a fair few times mtbing so could find the mtbing quite easily. Not sure if any good for road cycling? Guess I could cycle up to the l'iseran which I did last year from both sides, so not super excited about.
Morzine area – again, good for mtbing and I’ve been a few times so know my way about. Not sure if there is much road biking there and not sure if it’s good for walks / hikes. Guessing it may be super busy.
Any thoughts? Or areas I’ve not thought of?
The MTB riding around Briancon is awesome. There are some lift assisted bits - Montgenevre, Sierre Cheavalier, Bardoniccia, ..., but I tend to grab a map check the VTOPO books and head out. Great natural trails - try Steve Mallet's Best Singletrack In the World from his book. Not done road riding, but there are so many classic alpine climbs from the TdF I doubt you would be disappointed.
Can also recommend the Beaufort/ Les Saisies area for MTB and walking.
UK-FLATLANDER - cool thanks for that. I'm pretty certain Briancon ticks the boxes, was really wondering if anywhere closer in the alps also does!
Will have a look at Les Saisies - any advice on where to find trail information?
There’s good road biking around Morzine and plenty of non biking activities too.
You’ve got Col de Joux Plane, Avoriaz, Col de Joux vert, Col de L’Encranez, Col de la Ramaz, Col de Corbier, Col de Forclaz / Trechauffe. Loads to go at.
Morzine area – again, good for mtbing and I’ve been a few times so know my way about. Not sure if there is much road biking there and not sure if it’s good for walks / hikes. Guessing it may be super busy.
There's loads of road riding there. Some real epic climbs. It's a regular location for road racing too (we watched the Yates bros get a 1-2 on the tour de l'avenir one year). The walkng/hiking is brilliant too. you can do local lift assisted up to some great epic loops.
Plenty of other stuff to do in town and while it will be busy it's hardly packed. Nothing like ski season.
One big plus for the riding is if you have a non riding, or less riding, partner it is very easy to do half days, or meet up for lunch, pop back to the hotel, etc.
This booklet is excellent
Only word of warning is the grades are very French. Some of the xc route seemed harder than the enduro routes. L’Adret’Naline Is really good fun. There is a free uplift bus from Beaufort to Les Saisies, 1€ from Albertville, a luxury coach too, not a rough old transit.
More routes in Les Saisies bike park itself.
Stayed near Vaujany last time we went, was just road bikes as didn't have room for all the bikes. Plenty to do, nice town and could ride to Alp dhuez and had various cols on the doorstep. Plus cable cars to get up into the hills for walking. Obviously this was all before covid so not sure how some stuff would work but really enjoyed it. Obviously plenty of mtbing around as well
for road riding Bourg gets you:
Cormet de Roseland.Out and back or loop, to Albertville/Beaufort/Areches/Cormet/Bourg is about 70miles
Petit St Bernard
Madelaine
Lots of TdF finishes:
La Plagne
Les Arcs
Courcheval
A few loops:
Arc 1600/1800,Peisy/Vallandry,Landry
Macot/Cote d'Aime/Bourg