Alpine trip

crescent

Off to Bourg d'Oisans in a few weeks and just putting together my proposed routes. My trip is just Monday to Friday but will only actually be cycling Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Tuesday,I plan to cycle Alpe d'Huez and descend via the Col de Sarenne (I believe the TdF is doing this in July so I'm hoping the road is resurfaced as it doesn't look great on Google). I would hope to take in Les deux Alpes on this day as well. Wednesday, I intend to do a return trip to Col du Glandon and Col del Croix de Fer. Thursday ,I am considering a return trip to Valbonnais, just because it looks like a nice route with a couple of smaller climbs. I would love to take in the Galibier but, after some previous advice on here, suspect it may be a bit far as a round trip and also take in some fairly hairy roads/traffic/tunnels.
To anyone who knows the area, does the above sound like a reasonable schedule? I am aiming for around 50-60 miles a day, a distance I am comfortable with albeit with some major climbing involved.
Would love to hear any other suggestions or amendments, it is a very fluid plan at the moment.

Cheers

random man

Went down the Col de Sarenne last June, it's a lovely ride, the road wasn't too bad. We also did Galibier from Bourg d'Oisans, it's doable if you go straight out and back over the Lauteret but weather may not be great if you go before June.
You're spoilt for choice really, three days just isn't long enough

durhamwasp

Galibier is doable over the top of the Lautaret from Bourg as said, helluva a climb. Descend back the same way.

crescent

durhamwasp wrote:

Galibier is doable over the top of the Lautaret from Bourg as said, helluva a climb. Descend back the same way.

Is the Lauteret the main road from Bourg to Galibier? If so, this is what is putting me off a bit. I would love to do the Galibier because it is another TdF icon but I don't fancy cycling what appears to be a particularly busy road with fairly long, dark tunnels along the way. If there is another route, or possibly even jump on a bus to somewhere and cycle it from there, I would definitely consider it.
Like I say, a flexible plan at the moment and I'm looking forward to it immensely. I work away from home and I will be leaving my (very understanding) wife and kids behind so, although there is probably a lot more than three days worth of cycling, I think it will be long enough under the circumstances. There's always next year!!
If anyone has any other thoughts or suggestions I would love to hear them. Having never been to the area before I am only working from maps and Google Earth 3D (which is fantastic btw) so any local knowledge would be much appreciated.

Cheers

daviegb

You may want to check the following site, as currently a lot of the Cols are still closed, including Croix de Fer & Glandon.
http://www.savoie-route.com/savoie_rout ... ion-1.html

There is a great morning's riding from Bourg d'Oisans where you could take in Oulles on the climb of the Col d'Ornon
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/alpe-d ... ol-dornon/

then head back to Bourg before tackling La Berarde in the afternoon;
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/la-berarde/

I'm off to St Jean de Maurienne on 26th May, hence my interest in which passes are currently open!

Last weekend they were using explosives to clear snow off the Galibier, as the Giro has a mountain top finish there on 16th May - this should at least ensure it's open soon. The main road from Bourg to Galibier via Lautaret isn't too bad - if you have lights on your bike, you'll be fine in the tunnels. There are a couple that are 400 - 600 metres long, but when I rode them traffic gave me plenty of room.
Have a great time on your trip!


Gavin

crescent

Thanks Gavin, my fluid plan changes yet again!! Sounds like Oulles is a must-do. From the blogs you attached they look particularly scenic routes, this is a major factor for me, I want to go and enjoy taking in the scenery and the atmosphere and stop for an occasional coffee or a beer rather than busting a gut trying to set a superhuman time up each Col.
I have to admit, in my naivety, I didn't consider that there may be an issue with closed roads. I thought by the end of May it would be fine - fingers crossed though, and I hope you enjoy your trip also.
Thanks again for the post, just the kind of info I was hoping for.

Cheers

durhamwasp

Yes, the main road from Bourg to Lautaret, but when ive been on that road I wouldn't say it was that busy, and also the tunnels weren't anything to worry about - most would have been 200metres long, possibly slightly more - if you have lights on you shouldn't have any problems. Its a fantastic scenic road, perfect for cycling (hence lots of cyclists go up that way)

You could probably take a bus from Bourg to Briancon and do it from that side.

langbar

You might want to check out this thread:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40003&t=12867994

In my reply in that thread is a link to the Bourg d'Oisans route guide which you might find useful. If you do the Alpe d'Huez and Sarenne ride I'd definitely recommend coming back via the balcony route - a truly remarkable bit of road. I've done the Lauteret road a few times and didn't find too busy although was glad to have lights to be more visible in the tunnels. It's a fun descent but a bit of drag to ascend.

Have fun

Richard

airwise

If going over the Sarenne, look to climb up to Les Deux Alpes at the bottom then head off to the left onto the little road heading towards La Pontelle La Rivoire. This is a lovely balcony road that will bring you back out further down towards Bourg. Alternatively head up towards Auris on the way back and rejoin the Alpe climb at La Garde.

Another great route is to climb the Solude out of Bourg - you will need a torch for the tunnel. At the top there's a short stretch of unsurfaced road but it's rideable - alternatively a short walk and you have a lovely quiet descent down towards the Ornon. Another possiblity is to include this on the way back from Valbonnais.

Enjoy

crescent

More excellent info folks, just the kind of "local" knowledge I'm looking for. The balcony roads sound very appealing.

borntoride04

If you couldn't ride the Galibier and the others big passes, you should try the scenic road between Villard Notre Dame and Villard Reymond, above the col d'Ornon and facing the Alpe d'Huez (2 kms are gravel road but still ridable with good tires)
Another wild and hidden pass : the col du parquetout, above Valbonnais. nearly 7 km with a 10% slope but you will be reward at the top with a superb panorama.

You could ride both and have an epic 110 km / 3000 m ride ! ! !

bronco016

Very, very jealous!! Did Alpe D'Huez last year and loved every minute of it!!

Enjoy

crescent

Watching the road re-openings very closely now. Looks like Glandon and Croix de Fer are touch and go for the end of May. Sarenne is more likely to be into June before it is open . Thankfully, Alpe d'Huez is open all year round for the skiing season so I will definitely do it.
Some of the earlier links look really good, Oulles and Ornon, and the balcony road from Alpe d'Huez to Villard Reculas looks spectacular - the views look amazing. La Berarde has quite a spooky look about it on Google street view, very bleak and imposing landscape, but another option nonetheless.
I am fairly confident I won't be bored

crescent

Did Alpe d'Huez this morning, wanted my mummy by the village of Huez but persevered and have now ticked the box on the bucket list. Took in a couple of the balcony roads on the way down - wow!
My b&b host recommended a route for me yesterday (the evil b*****d), a tour of col d'ornon, Valbonnais and col de la morte, about 120km all in. Ran out of food about 60k into the ride and due to the time year there were very few cafes open. Eventually found one and nearly bit my own fingers off devouring a cheese and ham baguette. Excellent couple of days, enjoying a beer in Bourg dOisans and riding the Croix de Fer tomorrow.
Cheers

random man

Pleased to hear you're enjoying it. There's a cafe at the top of Croix de Fer

bronco016

Personally I think the Croix de Fer is harder than Alpe D'Huez but still good fun though!!

Enjoy the pain....it's worth it

crescent

Really enjoyed Croix de Fer but the first stretch up to Le Rivier was tough, spectacular scenery and the descent was amazing although bitterly cold. Would have liked to have done Glandon as well but they were still clearing it when I passed. All in all a fantastic few days.
Thanks again for all the input, barely scratched the surface but feel like I never stopped the entire trip
Cheers

crescent

daviegb wrote:

I'm off to St Jean de Maurienne on 26th May, hence my interest in which passes are currently open!

I'm afraid Galibier is still closed at the moment and the local forecast is for snow this weekend. On the upside though, they are doing a lot of work to clear the roads, fingers crossed, hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

daviegb

Really pleased you had a great time!

Was the cafe open at the top of Croix de Fer? I'm in St Jean from 26th for just over a week, so hopefully the Glandon, Madeleine, Iseran & Galibier may open next week.

crescent

The cafe wasn't open yesterday (thursday) and there was no sign of anyone around other than a few cyclists wrapping up for the ride down. I'm pretty sure Glandon was on the verge of opening but the cafe at the chalet de glandon was still closed as well. I'm not sure when the season actually starts in earnest but there were very few cafes open outside of Bourg d'oisans. I'm sorry to say it was snowing when I left BdO this morning but one thing I have learned in the last few days is that the weather can change very quickly. Hope you enjoy yourself, I'm sure you will, definitely take your warm cycling clothing though, it is bitterly cold on the way down.

markyone

durhamwasp wrote:

Galibier is doable over the top of the Lautaret from Bourg as said, helluva a climb. Descend back the same way.

As he said, descend back down to bourg amazing.

markyone

Crescent wrote:

durhamwasp wrote:

Galibier is doable over the top of the Lautaret from Bourg as said, helluva a climb. Descend back the same way.

Is the Lauteret the main road from Bourg to Galibier? If so, this is what is putting me off a bit. I would love to do the Galibier because it is another TdF icon but I don't fancy cycling what appears to be a particularly busy road with fairly long, dark tunnels along the way. If there is another route, or possibly even jump on a bus to somewhere and cycle it from there, I would definitely consider it.
Like I say, a flexible plan at the moment and I'm looking forward to it immensely. I work away from home and I will be leaving my (very understanding) wife and kids behind so, although there is probably a lot more than three days worth of cycling, I think it will be long enough under the circumstances. There's always next year!!
If anyone has any other thoughts or suggestions I would love to hear them. Having never been to the area before I am only working from maps and Google Earth 3D (which is fantastic btw) so any local knowledge would be much appreciated.

We went in june and the lauteret road up and back was not busy imo,you will need a rear light when going through the tunnels.
I would say its a must to do and you wont regret it.

Cheers

daviegb

I've been in St Jean de Maurienne all this week & the only cols that are open are;
Col de Croix de Fer
Le Telegraphe (although you can ignore the 'route barree' & get up to the Pantani Monument - well worth it!
Col du Mont Cenis

Galibier, Glandon, Madeleine & Iseran remain closed, but I've still managed a full week of riding;
Monday - Col du Mollard, Croix de Fer & La Tousuirre.
Tuesday - Alpe d'Huez (it bucketed with rain, so bailed out after a freezing descent via Villard Reculas left us shaking with cold!
Wednesday - Col du Mont Cenis & a little known climb up to Lac du Plan (sign posted to Bellecombe).
Thursday - Col du Telegraphe, Galibier (as far as Pantani Monument), Telegraphe (other side) & Valmeinier.
Friday - First 5 hairpins of Alpe d'Huez, balcony road plus climb of Le Maronne, l'Auris & Les Deux Alpes.
Today - La Berarde, Oulles, Col d'Ornon.
Tomorrow we plan to ride Col du Chaussy & as far up La Madeleine as possible (locals think this side is fine, but there are still issues from Moutiers).

On Monday I move to Bourg St Maurice, for more of the same! Again, none of the passes are open yet, but there are plenty of Ski Stations to climb.

If anyone is heading to Bourg d'Oisans, St Jean de Maurienne or Bourg St Maurice & wants some routes, just let me know.

crescent

daviegb wrote:

I've been in St Jean de Maurienne all this week & the only cols that are open are;
Col de Croix de Fer
Le Telegraphe (although you can ignore the 'route barree' & get up to the Pantani Monument - well worth it!
Col du Mont Cenis

Galibier, Glandon, Madeleine & Iseran remain closed, but I've still managed a full week of riding;
Monday - Col du Mollard, Croix de Fer & La Tousuirre.
Tuesday - Alpe d'Huez (it bucketed with rain, so bailed out after a freezing descent via Villard Reculas left us shaking with cold!
Wednesday - Col du Mont Cenis & a little known climb up to Lac du Plan (sign posted to Bellecombe).
Thursday - Col du Telegraphe, Galibier (as far as Pantani Monument), Telegraphe (other side) & Valmeinier.
Friday - First 5 hairpins of Alpe d'Huez, balcony road plus climb of Le Maronne, l'Auris & Les Deux Alpes.
Today - La Berarde, Oulles, Col d'Ornon.
Tomorrow we plan to ride Col du Chaussy & as far up La Madeleine as possible (locals think this side is fine, but there are still issues from Moutiers).

On Monday I move to Bourg St Maurice, for more of the same! Again, none of the passes are open yet, but there are plenty of Ski Stations to climb.

If anyone is heading to Bourg d'Oisans, St Jean de Maurienne or Bourg St Maurice & wants some routes, just let me know.

Impressive mileage, some fairly lengthy routes in there.
The Oisans tourist board have a book of 30 rides that is quite useful. I was warned off La Berarde due to reports about coyotes - bizarre but true I'm assured, my b&b host knew the area very well and was quite adamant that I should seriously consider not going there - I didn't.
I was amazed how cold it was during the descents, I've heard Sean Kelly talk about it on Eurosport and it genuinely took me a couple of days when I came home for me to get it out of my bones as the great man says.
I've been home for a week now and I want to go back already. Enjoy.