Advice on Alps/Pyrennes trip please ?

King of Spain

All,

i am looking for a base town in either the Alps or the Pyrenees from which to do daily rides out (or drive a short way to start) up some of the famous Tde F climbs. I have previously based myself in Bourg D'Oisans (for d'Huez, Galibier, Glandon), and in St Michel de Maurienne (for Telegraph/Galibier, Iseran, Croix de Fer). There are still a few unconquered slopes to do here but I fancy a change...Briancon would be nice but is limited to just Isoard,Montgenevere (busy busy road!!!) and yes, the Galibier...

Research on maps suggests it's difficult to find a place in the Pyrenees where you can easily reach iconic climbs in any quantity....and even when you go up, you have to descend teh same side as there are no achievable loop rides for descending the other side......am I wrong ?

Also, any towns in the 'northern' Alps which might work....do ST bernard, ski stations, Colombiere etc ?

ANY help appreciate on this !
Thanks, Le Roi

Floodcp

Re Pyrenees. Loop rides are available just depends on how far you want to ride.
I based myself in Argeles Gazost and from here there are numerous grand cols. Some are ski stations such as Hautacam and Luz Ardiden however you can go over the Tourmalet and back though Lourdes. Other options are the Souor and Aubisque but these are quite long routes.

I suspect you had a similar problem with Bourg D'Osian.

King of Spain

Floodcp wrote:

Re Pyrenees. Loop rides are available just depends on how far you want to ride.
I based myself in Argeles Gazost and from here there are numerous grand cols. Some are ski stations such as Hautacam and Luz Ardiden however you can go over the Tourmalet and back though Lourdes. Other options are the Souor and Aubisque but these are quite long routes.

I suspect you had a similar problem with Bourg D'Osian.

Yep - only loop round Bourg d'O is the bloomin' Marmotte minus D'Huez !!!. Thanks for the tip 8)

mrushton

www.whiteroomchalet.com is near Bourg St.Maurice where the TdF had a start and finish this year. Cormet de Roselend, Peit St.Bernard and the Iseran are all nearby as are the climbs to Les Arcs,Courcheval and Val Thorens.Nothing but up and down of various lengths and gradients. They can also arrange a drop-off/pick-up depending on where you are. We used this service recently and had a great time.