Routes from Geneva and Flanders

Abingdon77

We have some time on our hands, whilst driving home from La Marmotte in July and want to get at least one more decent ride in.

Current proposal is to drive to Geneva on Sunday, leaving us all day Monday for a ride. Does anyone have any decent routes? We'd be looking for c.100 miles, with a couple of big climbs.

To be honest, Geneva has been plucked out of the air a little so any recommendations of other places to stop, around 3 hours drive north of Bourg-d'Oisans?

We then have two days to get to Calais, so want to try and squeeze in another 1/2 day on the bike, and are thinking that part of the Tour of Flanders route could work. Taking in a couple of the cobbled climbs around Oudenaarde - does anyone have a route that would work here? Say up to 60 miles?

Thanks.

pdstsp

Three hours north will probably take you well out of the alps - you could look at the Jura mountains - there's some lovely riding there - not as brutal as the alps but constant ups and downs. If you wanted to stay in the alps maybe Annecy would be a better bet than Geneva (I've always found Geneva very boring). Good ride from Annecy would be to start off on the Col de Semnoz - long steady climb but with great views of Month Blanc from the top then descend back down to the lake. Follow the lake round via the traffic free cycle path which is a joy and then turn off to climb the Col de l'Arpette which is a little known climb - long and hard. Drop down to Flumet and turn left up the Col D'Aravis and Col de Croix Fry before descending back to Annecy - great ride - did it in 2009 and was boll0cksed at the end of it.

Can't help with the Flanders route I'm afraid.

Paul

TheStone

Don't know too much about the Juras, but worth a look.
Another option is somewhere like Morzine. Some great climbs (Joux Plane, Ramaz, Joux Vert - Avoriaz) nearby.

For Flanders, Oudenaarde is the best bet. There's 3 signed routes from the museum in town. All good routes (although the museum is a bit meh!)
http://www.crvv.be/en/tourism/routes/rvv-bicycleroutes

Abingdon77

Thanks Paul, that sounds like one for the short list.

And thanks The Stone, that link is really useful - they certainly know how to look after cyclists in Belgium!

Monty Dog

Remember that in Belgium you have to ride on the cycle path where provided - 'path' is a euphemism for rough concrete, cobblestones and broken tarmac interspersed with gravel and various road debris. Great routes, but just make sure you take tough tyres.