Steve_M Posted February 22, 2023 Posted February 22, 2023 Over the course of several visits to the French alps we have covered pretty well the whole route, and some sections several times. Our first tour as a couple took in much of it and we thoroughly enjoy riding it and seeing the views, as well as the excellent food! It may not be strictly accurate to the designated route but it is full of roads and scenery that are amazing. MyRouteApp is somewhat optimistic about how long it would take to ride the route, so I would take the timings with a large pinch of salt. Link: Route Des Grand Alps (ish). Quote
Gerontious Posted February 22, 2023 Posted February 22, 2023 (edited) 2 to 3 days to ride the whole route. from the shore of lake Geneva to the Med. assuming you take the classic sign posted route, without much deviation. its just over 447 miles. my personal recommendation is you do it one way, following the signs, then add a day and ride it the opposite direction with the usual detours. and there are a lot of detours. One of the main reasons for going down this route is actually a small deviation to the Bonette, which is the highest road in Europe that isn't purely a dead end that requires a U turn. definitely one for the bucket list. Just don't bother at weekends!! as its rammed with cyclists. route-des-grandes-alpes.GPX Edited February 22, 2023 by Gerontious Quote
Steve_M Posted February 22, 2023 Author Posted February 22, 2023 8 minutes ago, Gerontious said: 2 to 3 days to ride the whole route. from the shore of lake Geneva to the Med. assuming you take the classic sign posted route, without much deviation. its just over 447 miles. my personal recommendation is you do it one way, following the signs, then add a day and ride it the opposite direction with the usual detours. and there are a lot of detours. One of the main reasons for going down this route is actually a small deviation to the Bonette, which is the highest road in Europe that isn't purely a dead end that requires a U turn. definitely one for the bucket list. Just don't bother at weekends!! as its rammed with cyclists. route-des-grandes-alpes.GPX 3.15 MB · 3 downloads I’d say that two days is ambitious unless all you want to see is tarmac and not take time to appreciate the scenery. I agree with heading up the Cime though our first time there was in cloud, which cleared a little, and last year it was -1C with snow patches across the road while the col was clear. Still worth the effort. And you might get your photo taken on the way up! 1 Quote
Gerontious Posted February 22, 2023 Posted February 22, 2023 (edited) 19 minutes ago, Steve_M said: I’d say that two days is ambitious unless all you want to see is tarmac and not take time to appreciate the scenery. That wasn't what I was thinking about. 2 days is fine but it depends where you start and finish. there are no rules saying you must start at the lake and finish at the sea. in fact I would always suggest to anyone that cares to listen that they avoid both. definitely the coast. keep well away. there's absolutely nowhere that sells a stick of rock. so what's the point!! Edited February 22, 2023 by Gerontious 2 Quote
Steve_M Posted February 22, 2023 Author Posted February 22, 2023 12 minutes ago, Gerontious said: That wasn't what I was thinking about. 2 days is fine but it depends where you start and finish. there are no rules saying you must start at the lake and finish at the sea. in fact I would always suggest to anyone that cares to listen that they avoid both. definitely the coast. keep well away. there's absolutely nowhere that sells a stick of rock. so what's the point!! Agreed about the coast. We ended up in Nice. It was anything but. The D902 from Thonon le Bains is ok up and over past Morzine. The locals are good at warning you about the local rozzers with mobile speed traps. Not that I was exceeding the speed limit. Quote
Gerontious Posted March 9, 2023 Posted March 9, 2023 Here is a stitched together full map of the route with the area adjoining. its quite large. 1 Quote
Gerontious Posted April 4, 2023 Posted April 4, 2023 Looks like Im going to be heading down this way in mid June. hopefully the roads will be fully open. last time I was there (in May) a lot of it was closed. if it is closed then Route Napoleon will be the plan B. or something along those lines, keeping below the snow line. will be aiming to ride it in 3 days. Following the classic route without much in the way of deviation. Starting from Cluses on the Monday morning and arriving at the coast Wednesday before sunset. 2 Quote
Pie man Posted April 4, 2023 Posted April 4, 2023 4 hours ago, Gerontious said: Looks like Im going to be heading down this way in mid June. hopefully the roads will be fully open. last time I was there (in May) a lot of it was closed. if it is closed then Route Napoleon will be the plan B. or something along those lines, keeping below the snow line. will be aiming to ride it in 3 days. Following the classic route without much in the way of deviation. Starting from Cluses on the Monday morning and arriving at the coast Wednesday before sunset. How many days in total........ Quote
Gerontious Posted April 4, 2023 Posted April 4, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Pie man said: How many days in total........ 15, just using it as a more scenic ride. To the Med coast before turning east into Italy and Liguria. Edited April 4, 2023 by Gerontious 1 Quote
Pie man Posted April 5, 2023 Posted April 5, 2023 20 hours ago, Gerontious said: 15, just using it as a more scenic ride. To the Med coast before turning east into Italy and Liguria. Nice. I hope you keep us posted Quote
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