French Alps (but maybe Germany, too)

[johnnyboy]

If you're looking for a day off the bike and you are near La Mure, you won't go far wrong with this train ride https://lepetittraindelamure.com/. Some amazing views.

Also a little town called Valberg is worth a night or two. Some lovely walks into the mountains if that's your bag

 

[Rasher]

Here you go:

8 Ride outs from Barcelonette;

www.myrouteapp.com/profile/routes/485#981738/name/asc

I would suggest 3 days good riding out of here:
1. Loop around high passes
2. Run down and around Gorge du Verdon
3. Col di Sampeyre (bit rough in parts, not so great for Goldwings / Harleys / Sportsbike, very nice on Adventure bike)

Also 4 routes out of Bourg St Maurice - Hotel Belvedere in Seez (Rustic family owned place high up overlooking Bourg), or the L'Autantic in BSM (for more luxury and town centre to explore close by)

The "must do" route is the fantastic 7 pass loop around Mont Blanc.

So:

2-3 Days to Barcelonette
3 Days Riding our of there
1 Day running up RDGA to Bourg
1 Day for the 7 pass loop
2-3 days home

9-11 days trip, so with a bit of motorway blasting you can squeeze it all in to a single week off work, but 4 of those 9 days would be mainly motorways, stretch it out to 11 days and you only spend 2 days of the trip on mainly the motorways (1st and last)

 

[John Armstrong]

I did the Col de Sampyre in 2018 and some parts made cart tracks look good, and some of the worst bits were in tunnels. An experience for sure, and I'm glad I did it as it certainly is a road less travelled.

If there's an inversion, then going up the Col Bonette early in the day gives fantastic views from the viewing point a short walk up from the road of the surrounding mountain peaks.

 

[Doc]

Here you go:

8 Ride outs from Barcelonette;

www.myrouteapp.com/profile/routes/485#981738/name/asc

I would suggest 3 days good riding out of here:
1. Loop around high passes
2. Run down and around Gorge du Verdon
3. Col di Sampeyre (bit rough in parts, not so great for Goldwings / Harleys / Sportsbike, very nice on Adventure bike)

Also 4 routes out of Bourg St Maurice - Hotel Belvedere in Seez (Rustic family owned place high up overlooking Bourg), or the L'Autantic in BSM (for more luxury and town centre to explore close by)

The "must do" route is the fantastic 7 pass loop around Mont Blanc.

So:

2-3 Days to Barcelonette
3 Days Riding our of there
1 Day running up RDGA to Bourg
1 Day for the 7 pass loop
2-3 days home

9-11 days trip, so with a bit of motorway blasting you can squeeze it all in to a single week off work, but 4 of those 9 days would be mainly motorways, stretch it out to 11 days and you only spend 2 days of the trip on mainly the motorways (1st and last)

This one Rasher ?

View 'Bourg St Maurice - Mont Blanc loop' in MyRoute-app!

 

[Doc]

Annency is looking good for our first visit. A stopover from Rotterdam as its 600 miles so a 300 mile Day is enough for us in one day.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Annency is looking good for our first visit. A stopover from Rotterdam as its 600 miles so a 300 mile Day is enough for us in one day.

Annecy, no shortage of bars was there in 2010, worth another visit

 

[stever1]

Annency is looking good for our first visit. A stopover from Rotterdam as its 600 miles so a 300 mile Day is enough for us in one day.

It’s worth having a day off in Annecy, a nice place to wander about in the old town.

 

[Doc]

It’s worth having a day off in Annecy, a nice place to wander about in the old town.

Did you stay there Steve ?

 

[leadfarmer]

Did you stay there Steve ?

The Ibis in Annecy is fine if you don’t need quaint, it’s right in the center on the canal

you can park bikes around the back underneath some arches, they’ll be safe

added link

ibis Annecy Centre Vieille Ville

The ibis Annecy Vieille Ville is a riverside, 3-star hotel in the city center. Close to Lake Annecy (10 mins' walk) and the train station (547 yards). You can cozy up in quiet accommodation while immersed in the "Venice of the Alps". The hotel has 85 r...

all.accor.com

 

[Doc]

The Ibis in Annecy is fine if you don’t need quaint, it’s right in the center on the canal

you can park bikes around the back underneath some arches, they’ll be safe

Nice one I'll take a look thanks.

 

[stever1]

Did you stay there Steve ?

Yes, we had a day off. We stayed at a strange hotel up on a hill and our room had a cracking view of the lake.

 

[Arsey]

Doc, I assume this is a trip with Jayne as you’ll be away more than 7 days ?
Not wanting to state the obvious, seeing how much Jayne hated the balcony roads in the Vercors, some of the drop offs in the Alps are even worse …..Surprised you’re even contemplating it .

 

[Doc]

Doc, I assume this is a trip with Jayne as you’ll be away more than 7 days ?
Not wanting to state the obvious, seeing how much Jayne hated the balcony roads in the Vercors, some of the drop offs in the Alps are even worse …..Surprised you’re even contemplating it .

This has been discussed. Blindfold or dark glasses. Or a cruise up the Nile on a singles holiday.

 

[Arsey]

This has been discussed. Blindfold or dark glasses. Or a cruise up the Nile on a singles holiday.

I can’t see you riding blindfolded will ease her fears !
You’ll be fine. Just keep left , although you may end up back where you started

 

[Doc]

I can’t see you riding blindfolded will ease her fears !
You’ll be fine. Just keep left , although you may end up back where you started

To be fair yes she was frightened.

 

[EVskiy]

I can’t see you riding blindfolded will ease her fears !
You’ll be fine. Just keep left , although you may end up back where you started

Gorges du Verdon.

Cracker of a place to ride/drive, if you can handle the sheer drops of 100s of meters.






Yes you have to ride over the bridge to carry on with the scenic route…

 

[Doc]

Gorges du Verdon.

Cracker of a place to ride/drive, if you can handle the sheer drops of 100s of meters.

View attachment 291852

View attachment 291853

View attachment 291854
Yes you have to ride over the bridge to carry on with the scenic route…
View attachment 291855

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Yes watched that video you posted with that lass doing it.
Open to suggestions for somewhere to stay near there.

 

[Arsey]

Villa Morelia in Jausiers would be a good base for a couple of nights .

The Route des Grandes Alpes splits at Jausiers with the option to go over the Col de la Bonnette or further SW to route via Col de la Cayolle.
By staying in Jausiers you could ride both loops .
Have lunch at the Halte 2000 just down from the summit of La Bonette.

Make sure you ride the Cime de la Bonnette loop at the top as the views are stunning

Sent from my Nokia 3310 using Thetwatcantalk

 

[Arsey]

Yes watched that video you posted with that lass doing it.
Open to suggestions for somewhere to stay near there.

Nouvel Hôtel du Commerce in Castellane

 

[leadfarmer]

Nouvel Hôtel du Commerce in Castellane

Yep, good choice