Cycling round Grenoble

fidbod

The chain gang I cycle with is planning a trip out to Grenoble to hit up a few of the best climbs.

We will of course be hitting up Alpe D'Huez and plan to cycle down from Grenoble to Nice to fly back at the end of the holiday so that probably leaves us three other days for trips in the grenoble neck of the woods.

What would every one suggest?

pneumatic

This guy's your man:

http://www.grenoblecycling.com/index.htm

He's done everything around there and it is all logged on his site.

I lived in Grenoble at one time. It's a great city walled in by three completely different styles of mountain range. If I had three days there and a bike, I'd spend one day in the Chartreuse massif, one in the Vercors (probably in the gorges) and the other in the Belledonne (probably riding up to Les Sept Laux or Chamrousse).

In the city itself I would recommend the restaurant Chez la Mere Ticket, which has been serving the same menu since 1947! Poulet aux ecrevisses is their speciality. The Arthaud bookshop is worth a visit, too.

ricadus

Are you staying in Grenoble or nearby? It makes a difference as there are some nice routes to the south-west that would be too far if you are staying further up the Romanche valley near Alpe d'Huez.

For one day I suggest a climb up the Col Luitel ( http://www.cyclingcols.com/asp/colframe.asp?cl=389 ) and then up to a cafe stop in the resort of Chamrousse. The Luitel is too narrow for a modern TdF climb, but was used in the Tour right up until 1981; it's a sod of a climb in the heat, but a steady gradient. From there it's a nice loop down the main road back in to Grenoble. I'll "bikley" for you it if I have time.

ricadus

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Gr ... Col-Luitel

Great climbing loop, with a well-earned coffee stop in Chamrousse.

heavymental

On this subject, if anyone has suggestions for self catering accomodation in or near to Grenoble I'd be interested. Last year I couldn't find anything in the in the area so ended up in a ski apartment near Meribel. Nice but a killer to have to ride up the hill as the final part of each days ride.

fidbod

Ricadus,

thank you for the route map it is much appreciated.

Pneumatic - thanks for the website, we are all working through it doing our research

and in concert with Heavymental accommodation suggestions would be great

Jake the Peg

I'm writing this from Grenoble (where we've have loads of snow today!)

My fave rides are the climbs into the Vercors from the valley.

http://www.aukadia.net/alps/vercors.htm

There is a great scenic fab quality bike path that goes from the city along the river Isere. Take this for 20 kms and climb up the Col de Romeyere from St Gervais. Link over to the Gorge de la Borne, up to Autrans, through the abandoned tunnel de Mortier, shoulder bikes across the avalanche (care! but fun) and down the Col de Montaud (abandoned road, car-free).

http://www.aukadia.net/alps/mortier1.htm

Once up on the plateau of the Vercors, visit the Combe Laval (via the col de la Machine) - one of the most impressively exposed roads you will ever see! Also the Grands Goulets

http://www.aukadia.net/alps/laval1.htm
http://www.aukadia.net/alps/gouls_g2.htm

Other favorite ride is up into Vercors via Col de Mont Noir via Malleval-en-Vercors (great tea stop at the auberge in the village) to col at 1400 m (1200 m climb). Descend via the Gorge du Furon to Sassenage/Grenoble.

Extra energy remaining after this - climb other side of valley to Mont St Martin or Col de la Charmette (tea stop at top at forestry refuge) - same climb and gradient as Alpe d'Huez!

Into the Chartreuse via Provesieux to the Col de Porte (tea stop at 1300 m). Up 300 m more to Bergeries (another tea stop and see cheese being made by a farmer).

http://www.aukadia.net/alps/chartreuse2.htm

These are incredible roads and pretty tough climbs - hidden jewels that the local riders use but which, because they are small and remote, the Tour doesn't.

I'd be happy to share more suggestions - just ask if you think they are useful.

Jake

heavymental

Nice one Jake. I had a great day in the Vercors myself this year. Although the Grand Goulets was closed for what looked like some big engineering works. Is it open again now? I still curse my poor French to this day.....we got to the bottom of the climb up to the Goulets and the sign said the road was closed 'Compris Velos'. I ummed and ahhed and decided it must mean except for bikes. Doh of course, as soon as we got up to the gate it dawned on my that compris meant including as in 'service compris' so back down we went on a long detour which turned the ride into a bit more of a endeavour than we'd expected. We arrived back at the car as dark was falling. I now have a full understanding of the word Compris! The Combe Laval was fantastic though and I'd love to do the ride again without stopping every 50 metres to take a pic which is the way it goes on that spectacular road.

Anyway, you got any accomodation suggestions Jake?

Jake the Peg

We stopped for coffee and cake (on tandem with kid in trailer) at this little auberge on the way up the Col de Mont Noir and thought that one day we would stay there if we had the chance:

http://www.planete-vercors.com/les-galo ... resto.html

Right up in the Vercors in a quiet place.

Campsite in Vassieux is very nice too - quiet place under pine trees.

Jake