Route De Grands Alps

Tony Defy2

My wife and I are planning to cycle the Route De Grands Alps (Geneve to Nice) this July. We have already booked our flights to Geneve and return from Nice. Please can anybody advise us on how best to get from Geneve airport to the start of the route at Thonon Les Bains. Is cycling from the airport feasible or is it best to get on the train? Any suggestions would be very welcome.
Also, can anybody advise us on where best to collect bike boxes in Nice for our return flight home?
Many thanks
Tony & Andrea

Ed81

It is possible and easy to cycle from the airport to Geneva irself, I did this route last year with some firends. I remember that the cycle track and recomended route in the cicerone guide book (cycling in the French Alps) was undergoing improvements but we did find our way with few problems.

Can't help about the bike bags as we took our own and got a friend to carry them in his camper van, he then carried tents, clothes, spares etc.

We did the whole route in 10 days but ended in Menton as this is the traditional end point and well worth a visit. We then took the train to nice and the bus to the airport.

PM me if you want more info or think I can helps you.

Enjoy the trip, It is amazing!

mz__jo

One technique for bike boxes that has been used very successfully by my Limoges clubmates is to arrange with the local branch of Decathlon to have some of the cardboard boxes (used for new bikes) available when you pass by. This has worked as far away as Budapest! You need to organise wrapping tape and long luggage straps to complete the package (any DIY store should have that in the bargains section). It is very feasable to take the staples out and fold the box in three in order to put it over your shoulder and cycle with it (surprising but true; we did it at Liverpool airport; photos available if you need them). If not Decathlon then Go Sport, Intersport or any decent bike shop will have these cartons. The problem is that they don't stock them; you need to pass the day of the delivery (or speak very kindly to the cycling superviser) otherwise the cartons go into the cardboard skip. The other thing is that you need to pay the sporting goods supplement (which you will probably have done anyway)

mz__jo

The sporting goods supplement is for the luggage on the plane, the cartons are (or at least should be) free from the shop. I don't think I made that clear.

pneumatic

There's a cycle path from the Airport. Pay attention, though, as I lost it and ended up in the suburbs. The ride out of Geneva into Haute Savoie is pretty straightforward, even if you use the roads.

I got bawled out by a bus driver, though, as it seems that, unlike every other city I have cycled in, bus lane does not equal cycle lane in Geneva.

We have posted bike bags on to our destination in the past.

I envy you the trip - have fun!

rcanter

I did this route a couple of summers ago with some mates. We arrived in Nice just in time to see the TdF go past. Since we left our boxes at Geneva airport we had to make up something suitable in Nice. One thing to note is that many bike stores were closed on Mondays, some till noon. This was the day we set aside for packing so we had to resort to a local shopping centre (recycling area) where we came out with enough large cardboard boxes to protect 3 bikes. The idea of arranging with Decathlon is a good point. We simply walked our boxed bikes to the local bus stop and then took the airport bus to the airport. Don't pack your CO2 cans as the airport staff insisted on me retrieving mine from my box. Imagine James Herriot with his arm shoulder deep down a small hole trying to find something tiny that was fortunately taped to the frame. Despite having a basic idea of our route, we used a map that was collected from the airport to get out of town and almost all the way to Nice. Sadly, I was not the one navigating out of Geneva, nor could I speak the language, but getting out of town was well signposted. I enjoyed the trip so much that I returned later that month (bike in the car) and I have been going back every summer since.

Someone might be able to comment on whether bikes must be transported in bike-specific bags/cases/boxes or whether large clear plastic bags can be used. This offers no protection, but in speaking with other tourers, this option allows you to ride to the airport and since the handlers can see the bike, they tend to treat it carefully. Personally, for my next AtoB tour, I will arrange to store a box somewhere and simply take a train back to the starting point.