Another day described as “moderate” in the guide, which turned out to be anything but… the numbers are similar to other days (52km, 1216m ascent), but we encountered some of the steepest sections yet, up to 10% percent gradient, sustained for at least a km at a time. I’m under strict orders from my physio …
Day 5 – Route des Grandes Alpes – Briançon to Guillestre What a fabulous day! The threatened rain did not materialise and we set off from Briançon on a fantastic, clear sunny morning. Almost before leaving the town we hit the 20km marker for the ascent to Col d’Izoard and we began. We climbed steadily …
Day 4 – Route des Grandes Alpes – Valloire to Briançon Today, as anticipated, was the biggest climb so far. The 18km Col du Galibier is an iconic climb in the Tour de France and no less iconic to the humble touring cyclist. It climbs slowly up a spectacular valley from Valloire, but at the …
Day 3 – Route des Grandes Alpes – Termignon to Valloire Today is described in the guidebooks as “moderate”. It’s fair to say we found it at the extreme edge of moderate, and not on the easy side! I suppose our decision to detour off the main road and follow a “scenic” route was at …
Day 2 – Route des Grandes Alpes – Val d’Isere to Termignan Today we really felt we were starting the tour. We have cycled up to the Col de l’Iseran twice before but have not descended the southern side. We departed Val d’Isere on a stunning clear morning, autumn in the air and our bikes …
Day 1 – Route des Grandes Alpes – Ste Foy to Val d’Isere The Route des Grandes Alpes was established in 1911 by the Touring Club of France and has subsequently become a popular route for sports cars, bikers and cyclists. It starts near Lac Leman and finishes in Nice, covering 750km and a total …