Cycling holiday in France July 2016
ilav84
Posts: 124
Did La Marmotte last year and half tempted to sign up for the La Marmotte again but would also like the idea of a stress free cycling holiday in France with a few club mates. I loved the Marmotte last year but found that it was very stressful getting prepared for the event and I was surrounded by all these class climbs but not able to do them as I was resting for the event.
A few of the lads are looking to go to France to do some famous climbs around July time and have put me in charge of organising it. Thinking of 5 days with 4 of those cycling and trying to keep the cost down as well.
No doubt people on here will have done some similar holidays so I was looking so ideas.
- Looking for a good base close to the famous climbs.
- Somewhere that has decent accommodation (clean, internet, bike storage etc)
- Bike hire or bring our own?
- A few ideas of what climbs to do or what itinerary worked for you.
- Is it possible to drive to Mont Ventoux and do a day there?
Anything else you would recommend or do?
Should also have said we would consider doing a smaller scale local sportive over in the alps if anyone has any knowledge of that sort of thing.
A few of the lads are looking to go to France to do some famous climbs around July time and have put me in charge of organising it. Thinking of 5 days with 4 of those cycling and trying to keep the cost down as well.
No doubt people on here will have done some similar holidays so I was looking so ideas.
- Looking for a good base close to the famous climbs.
- Somewhere that has decent accommodation (clean, internet, bike storage etc)
- Bike hire or bring our own?
- A few ideas of what climbs to do or what itinerary worked for you.
- Is it possible to drive to Mont Ventoux and do a day there?
Anything else you would recommend or do?
Should also have said we would consider doing a smaller scale local sportive over in the alps if anyone has any knowledge of that sort of thing.
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I'd rent a house - they normally rent by the week and you wont pay that much so long as you aren't renting say around Alpe D'Huez in Marmotte week or somewhere near the Tour when it is in town.
I wouldn't drive any distance just to do Ventoux you'll have done enough travelling and assuming you pick a decent base. If you want to do Ventoux then stay near Ventoux there is enough riding not a million miles away from there so make a decision either Ventoux area or the Alps.
Briancon (Galibier, Izoard, Montgenevre, Sestriere) was also good and a nice town. Alpe d'Huez is possible from there too.
Bourg d'Oisans is also a great little place and plenty of climbs to be had (Alpe d'Huez, Galibier, Luataret and many others)
Bedoin itself is such a great place, I wouldn't put you off staying there for 3 or 4 nights, theres just something in the air in that place, magical if you're a cyclist.
In addition to some of the place already mentioned
Jausier and Barcelonnette
http://www.routeyou.com/en-fr/location/bike/47234354/biking-in-jausiers-overview-of-all-cycling-routes
The Ventoux is a nice climb but I wouldn't go there for the day. The day you choose it could be blowing so hard at the summit you might not be able stand let alone cycle up it.
Having said that, I'm sure that there's some great riding otherwise round the area, but if proper mountains are your thing, and you want to tick off a lot of the famous climbs in a week, then there are several decent options further north east.
http://www.cyclesetsports.com/en/479-bike-hire
Regarding some where to stay you could consider renting a 'chalet' at a campsite. Can be reasonable valve if there are a few of you and can make sure you get more than a cup of coffee and a croissant at breakfast.
http://www.camping-colporteur.com/rental-chalets-france-isere.html
This year we stayed at http://www.kingofthemountains.co.uk/ near Bourg D'Oisans and that was better again. Guy and Helyn who run the place are genuinely lovely people (and really good cooks), and the access to great climbs is second to none. We did Alpe D'Huez, Col de Sarenne, Balcons D'Auris, Col D'ornon (where KOTM is based, beautiful descent in the mornings), Col du Glandon, Croix de Fer, Lacets de Montvernier, the descent from Les Deux Alpes (take the telecabine up from Venosc and give the legs a break), and if there was more time could have done the Telegraph, the Galibier, Col de la Morte, and any number of other climbs. I'm not sure how we'll ever top that as a cycling holiday but we're having a go with the Stelvio next year.
I like both but slightly prefer the Pyrenees, Mrs Whoof prefers the Alps.
This is a good place to base yourself, although calling it the circle of death is a bit dramatic!
http://velopeloton-cycling-pyrenees.bike/argeles-gazost/
I've stayed here and they rabbits (the pet type not wild ones) running all over the site. They also have cabins for rent.
http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/france/midi-pyrenees/hautes-pyrenees/argeles-gazost/campsite-les-trois-vallees-103580/
Stayed in and near St Jean du Maurienne, which is ideally placed. Galibier, Madeleine, Glandon, Croix der Fer, Mollard, Telegraph, Chaussy cols all very near. Huez not very far either. We stayed in St Jean once (Hotel Bernard...fairly grim) and nearby (Ibis Budget..clean, bike storage, need to drive for evening meal though). St Jean has plenty of restaurants etc.
Drove it once, which was too long, and flew to Geneva the second time which was much better, hired a car and its about 2 hours drive. Took my own bike in a BikeBoxAlan, also simple.
We did four consecutive days, any longer I would have taken a day off.
If you're in St.Jean de Maurienne, you HAVE to do the Lacets de Montvernier. Amazing.
Did it last year! Lovely climb and pretty easy actually with it only being 3 or 4 km long.
Have found plenty of places to stay in Bourg but haven't found anything decent in St Jean du Maurienne.
We did it as part of Col du Chaussy, as you say, an amazing bit of road. I liked the Chaussy climb as well, some great views over the Maurienne valley.
The choice of climbs is endless from there Madeleine, Lacets de Montvernier, Mollard, Croix de Fer, La Toussuire, Glandon, Telegraphe, Galibier - also consider both sides of Mont Cenis (plus a side detour to Col du Petit Mont Cenis) & Col d'Iseran - they start from Lanselbourg.
See this link for a vast choice of rides!!!
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/la-maurienne-valley-7-of-the-best-climbs-in-france/
Whatever you decide to do, have a great trip!
Fantastic riding, some of the most frequently used cols in the Tour and amazing scenery. Not forgetting of course that for people staying in Luchon in July 2016 you will have the ability to easily watch 3 stages of the Tour (7, 8 9) and enjoy a bit of Spain as well.
Living here I am of course biased - but the number of people that have visited and gone away with big smiles is also testimony to just how good it is.
Independent or supported cycling holidays in the French Pyrenees
Other climbs within easy distance are the Lacets de Montvernier, Col de Glandon and Croix de le Fer, La Toussuire all ridden on this year's TDF.
Alternative locations are St Jean de Maurienne which is about 15 km further down the valley.
It was 35 to 40 degrees in late July although some big ole thunderstorms too.
Plenty of cheap accommodation although prices were ramped up the week I went due to the tour being in town.
I drove from Surrey. towbar rack with 3 bikes on the back .Takes about 12 hours door to door.
The Maurienne valley is really massive. When I left St Michel to drive back to Blighty the autoroute was on a noticeable descent out of the mountains at an average 6 or 7% for over 40 miles, yes MILES. Amazing place.
That's my youngest son below in the blue following me up La toussuire. That's part of the Maurienne valley in the background including St Michel where we rode from a few hours earlier.
Which would indicate a height drop of between 12,000 and 15,000 feet
But yes, some of those descents are mind boggling, there's a good long one from Le Grand Bornand to near Bonneville in the Haute Savoie.
Thanks,
James
Yes. I have done so.
Plan a Manche-Med-Manche next year. That will be solo.
Yes. Most days.
Hi James, only just noticed your question...sorry!
The Ibis has a large wooden shed next to the hotel building, the hotel receptionist hands out the key on request. There were maybe 15 bikes in there last June, felt safe.
Just for info, there is a supermarket just opposite the hotel, and a bar 2 minutes walk away. There is also a burger/fries/sandwiches/beer van just in the hotel car park.....had a very welcome beer after both sides of the Madeleine
Simon