Is Chamonix ok for roadies?

Rehnquist
Rehnquist Posts: 32
edited July 2011 in Tour & expedition
Anybody advise me about the suitability of Chamonix in the Alps as a base for road cycling in the alps? Seems mostly off road stuff. How does it compare to Bourg D'Oisans?

Comments

  • Jason Currie
    Jason Currie Posts: 56
    Depends.
    From Bourg there are much more options just getting on the bike.
    Still lots to do from Cham if you want to take a wee car trip first.
    Jase
  • russell_in_france
    russell_in_france Posts: 124
    Chamonix doesn't have as much choice as there is only really two directions that you can leave. Bourg d'Oisans has plenty to keep you active for a week of riding.

    Best places to spend a few days are Bourg d'Oisans, Bourg St Maurice and St Jean de Maurienne for access to a number of mountains nearby.

    Cheers, Russell
    www.grenoblecycling.com
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    I was there in April for a wedding - it isn't the best, but served as a taster for the alps for me.

    You can head, as said, in two directions NW takes you through La Praz, Argentiere and then a nice climb up to col de montet. from here it is popular to ride through to Martigny in Switzerland - make sure you have your passport with you! - and catch the train back.

    in the other direction head towards Les Houches and look for the route deVaugdagne - a tough climb and then a stunning descent which makes a killer climb going back!! I had a few days to get some miles in, but you will get bored and want to head off somewhere else if you are there for a bit.
  • Rehnquist
    Rehnquist Posts: 32
    change of plan! Now staying in Les Gets. looks better (joux plain etc) here to a week of pain!
  • russell_in_france
    russell_in_france Posts: 124
    Excellent news and lots of choice now. The Joux Plane, Joux Verte and Avoriaz, Ramaz, and one of my favourites is the Pierre Carree to the ski resort of Flaine.

    Russell
    www.grenoblecycling.com
  • xio
    xio Posts: 212
    We're going to be in Morzine in Aug (couple of miles from Les Gets) - loads of stuff to climb as metioned by Russell. Only thing to note is that roadie bike shops are a bit thinner on the ground. Only found 1 in Morzine & 1 in Samoens (at the foot of the Joux Plane). Done Ramaz the easy way (from Les Gets side) but this time we're heading down into Meussy (sp?) to start from the bottom. If we've not killed ourselves over that one, taking in Encrenaz (I think) on the way back to Morzine.
  • Breathebike.com
    Breathebike.com Posts: 4
    Anyone out there need more information on road biking from Chamonix please drop me a line. We regularly ride the Colombiere, Aravis, Saisies, Roseland, Petit St Bernard, Grand ST Bernard, Joux PLaine, Joux Vert, Ramaz and many many more from Chamonix!

    No road biking from Chamonix......think again!


    Mike

    www.breathebike.com

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