Alpe d Huez Trip

Bighill27

In September i'm planning a long awaited trip to Alpe d huez. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of some decent accommodation in the area.

I was also wondering of the sort of condition I can expect in the first week of september.

Any help would be hugely welcome.

thanks

barrybridges

I've just got back on Sunday from a week there and can recommend staying in Vilard-Reculas. It's 2/3rds of the way up the Alpe accessed via a side-road, but is a good climb in its own right.

We stayed here:

http://www.chaletneigesoleil.com/

It had a swimming pool in the chalet, hot tub, amazing views and takes you out at hairpin 6 on the Alpe. Pretty reasonable prices and easy to get to.

First week of September - not sure, but I would hazard a guess that it's quite late in the cycling season?

daviegb

I stayed in Bourg d'Oisans a couple of years back at the end of September/early October & stayed here;

http://www.bedandbreakfastinbourgdoisans.com/

From experience, September was fine from a cycling perspective - the weather is still warm & you have no worries about snow. There are so many great climbs to try, many of them NOT used in the Tour de France. If you get a chance, then try some/all of the following;

La Berarde, Oulles & Col d'Ornon
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/321301582

First 6 hairpins of Alpe d'Huez, Le Maronne, L'Auris & Les Deux Alpes
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/320743715

Alpe d'Huez & decend through Villard Reculas then climb Croix de Fer from Allemond
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/319387891
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/51354778

Col du Lautaret & Col du Galibier
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/51525425

You'll have a great time whatever you decide to do!


Gavin

essjaydee

Where is the closest airport?

daviegb

Grenoble airport is the closest at about an hour away, but Geneva is under a 3 hour drive from Bourg d'Oisans.

crescent

I stayed at Le Petit Catelan B&B just about 4km outside Bourg d'Oisans. Really nice place, lovely food and very friendly hosts. Only 10 mins cycle to the centre of Bourg. It's a fairly busy road and no pavements for walking but good cycle path. Alternatively there is a bus stop about 200 yds from the B&B.
I think flights to Grenoble are very seasonal and are quite hard to find outwith the skiing season. Lyon might be a better bet and then the train to Grenoble. Grenoble to Bourg d'Oisans is about and hour and a half on the bus but service is fairly frequent.
As others have said, you will love it, it is a fantastic place for cycling.

essjaydee

Thanks

nareloc

I've always found September to be a perfect time for cycling in France. Weather usually calm and settled, although you can expect anything in the high mountains. Usually nice and warm in the valleys but a bit chilly up top and on the descents.