Alps next summer?

henryfinch
henryfinch Posts: 3
edited October 2013 in Tour & expedition
Hi all,

I'm turning 50 next year and am looking to celebrate the occasion with a couple of weeks on the bike over the summer (with my wife's blessing!).

I'm looking for an organised tour somewhere in the Alps (views and little traffic being a priority!) and have been Googling extensively but there are so many companies out there it makes decision-making rather tough. I'd kind of like to "see it all / do it all" but realise this won't be possible over two weeks...

Anyone have any places or companies they would recommend?
Any advice greatly appreciated!

Cheers
H

Comments

  • andymiller
    andymiller Posts: 2,856
    At risk of adding to your choice don't forget that most of the Alps *aren't* in France. The Dolomites for example are very beautiful and there are lots of possibilities for day rides.
    Italy Cycling Guide
  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    Just set up camp in Le Grand Bornand for a couple of weeks!
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • daviegb
    daviegb Posts: 126
    You could stay in St Jean de Maurienne - within riding distance is;
    Telegraphe, Galibier, Glandon, Mollard, Croix de Fer, Madeleine (2 routes up from La Chambre), Chaussy & La Toussuire.

    If you have a hire car, then you can also add;
    Alpe d'Huez, Izoard (both sides), Iseran (both sides), plus other sides of Madeleine, Croix de Fer & Galiber (via Lautaret), Deux Alpes, La Berarde, Ornon, Mont Cenis (both sides).

    You can get more information from this website - it gives you all the information you could need

    http://www.cycling-challenge.com/la-mau ... in-france/

    Have a great time wherever you decide to ride!
  • andrewleck
    andrewleck Posts: 45
    Just got back from a couple of weeks in the alps,

    5 nights in Taninges - joux plain, colombiere,
    5 nights in Allemond - ornon, Alpe, Galibiere, lauterat, glennon, Sarenne, croix de fur
    and 4 nights in Bedoin - Ventoux (3 directions) gorge de nesque

    Great 3 center camping holiday :)https://www.facebook.com/andrew.leckenb ... 732&type=3

    Or you could join us next July following the Tour viewtopic.php?f=40003&t=12934536


    Agree with the other poster though, the Dolomites are fantastic (but a bit steeper riding) also look at Austria and Switzerland :wink:
  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    German black forest around Freiburg is also a cyclists heaven!
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • dilemna
    dilemna Posts: 2,187
    How about the Pyrenees and the Ventoux?
    Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
    Think how stupid the average person is.......
    half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
  • dilemna
    dilemna Posts: 2,187
    durhamwasp wrote:
    German black forest around Freiburg is also a cyclists heaven!

    Yeah for cyclists who can't climb!
    Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
    Think how stupid the average person is.......
    half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
  • mrc1
    mrc1 Posts: 852
    Lucky man!

    Have you considered tying your tour in with the Tour de France? Watching the tour in the mountains (either the Alps or the Pyrenees) is a fantastic experience and will add an extra gloss to your tour to make it truly memorable! The full route is due to be announced on 23rd October, so it's well worth bearing this in mind during the planning phase!
    http://www.ledomestiquetours.co.uk

    Le Domestique Tours - Bespoke cycling experiences with unrivalled supported riding, knowledge and expertise.

    Ciocc Extro - FCN 1
  • Brassy
    Brassy Posts: 6
    Try the guys at http://www.purevelo.com. I went on their Simply Swiss tour this summer which went over most of the big climbs in Switzerland. Absolutely amazing. There was a bunch of Aussie doctors along which were great for a laugh. One of the most memorable days was taking some of the small back roads to the Gurniglpass. Smooth tarmac, sunshine, mountains in the background. Can't beat it.

    Next year they're running a tour across France from Switzerland to Barcelona. It's a two weeker, so working getting permission for that right now. Looks like Christmas might be a good one for the wife this year!
  • henryfinch
    henryfinch Posts: 3
    Hi guys,

    Really appreciate your help and suggestions!

    Daviegb your trip sounds amazing but unfortunately the Tour out for me as I can only swing two weeks in August. I've already been to the Dolomites (and yes they were stunning!) so am thinking France this time... Brassy thanks for the link, I love the idea of a trip from Montreux to Barcelona with the purevelo guys. The total route doesn't seem up yet but sounds absolutely awesome.

    http://www.purevelo.com/summer/guided-c ... /las-tapas

    Thanks again for all your help and happy riding!
    H
  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    dilemna wrote:
    durhamwasp wrote:
    German black forest around Freiburg is also a cyclists heaven!

    Yeah for cyclists who can't climb!
    We must have been to different parts then!

    The hardest climb I have done yet was in the German Black Forest, Schauinsland (1284m) - and that includes Ventoux, Alpe d'Huez, Galabier & Izoard amongst others.

    The climb up to Belchen ski station (1414m) is also a beauty from either side...

    They were the two I did when we were based in Munstertal and Kirchzarten (highly recommend this place). Oh, and if you like a beer, €5 for 20 litres of 5.3% gear should sort you out!
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • rc856
    rc856 Posts: 1,144
    I stayed in a Gites de France in Allemont for a couple of weeks. Only 5 or 6 miles from Bourg d'Oisans and a few miles from the start of Col du Glandon and beyond. Lots of climbs round there or a wee drive takes you up to the Telegraphe/Galibier

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