French Alps in October

[Deleted account LB]

Hi,

I am travelling over to France for the World Superbikes at the beginning of october so thought I would have a 2 day trip to the Alps as well.

I am staying in Annecy and have devised a route to take in Mont Blanc, St Bernard Pass etc. whilst down there.

Can anybody give me there experience of the weather at this time of year or other usful info.

Cheers

 

[Wapping]

Early October? Can be snowing, raining or brilliant sunshine, or maybe cloudy. Depends on how high you go or how (un)lucky you are.

Prepare for the worst and expect the best.

What else might you want to know in useful info?

They speak French.

The currency is the Euro.

Some great roads. Try Briancon.

You can buy petrol, even on a Sunday.

Some of the hotels may be shut as you are going right betwen the end of the summer but before the start of the autumn / winter season.

You might well come across herds of cows being brought down from the mountains. They sometimes decorate the cows with flowers and the like. The cows leave a lot of slippery stuff behind but it's quite organic.

The Weather Underground site has historic weather records on a city-by-city, day-by-day, month-by-month, year-by-year basis.

 

[Deleted account LB]

Thanks for the reply, thought as much. I am staying in Annasey for 2 nights and having a trip around the lumpy bits before heading for Magny Cours for the Superbikes.

Will probably pay it by ear and see what the weather is like when we arrive before making a decision as to how to go.

 

[Wapping]

No prob's.

You might like to have a look at this: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109157

It doesn't go down to the Alps but you might be able to work some of the bits in.

To be honest I would start tro stay clear of the main Alps proper much after the end of September, the weather can become very variable and v cold once you are up higher. That being said, have done them in late October and March but with many of the roads closed.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Lardyboy,

You really should look at this site. Really useful info on the Alps. Weather on the highest passes might be a lottery, but that's because they're so high. The odds on bad weather increase a bit as Autumn closes in, but I was in the Alps in July and people we met were talking about blizzards and road closures then.

I rode down the lower half of the Route des Grandes Alpes link, which was great. You could combine this with the Route Napoleon for a circular route.

I think the higher, more northerly passes in Switz might be tempting fate a little. Grand and Petit St Bernard Passes into and out of Italy might be a real gamble too, but you could check the websites a few days before you go to get up-to-date information and if they're shut, find a lower route.

If you're in Annecy, take the road to Albertville, then continue vaguely south east to Moutiers, then north west to Bourg St Maurice. This isn't a high road, nor is it particularly twisty, but it is like a long, fast, empty race track. Road number is N90 (it has a name that I can't remember) and the first section is dual carriageway, but not like any dual carriageway intheis country. Amazingly sweepy.

 

[Deleted account LB]

Back in one piece

Just to say thanks for al the advice - some of the best riding I have ever had on a bike, from Annecy, - Chamonix, Gt St Bernard, (careful on the italian side they have dug all the tarmac up) then Petit St Bernard and back to Annecy all in a day.

Fantastic.

Now planning next years trip in May

 

[stevejazzyb]

Hi there,
We live out here in the Alpes and yup, the weather can go from one extreme to the other, however October is usually though pretty good and fairly stable.

If you fancy spending a night up in the mountains before or after Annecy, why not give us a try, we're on the Grandes Alpes route, situated 8 hairpin bends up from the D902 on the outskirts of Morzine.

B&B accommodation [evening meals also possible], secure garaging, bike washing facilities for your bike, washing machine for your clothes and a stunning view from our hot tub whilst you soak your body after a good days riding. What could be better? Oh yes, a beer in both hands as well!

[Discounts for all UKGSer.com tossers]

Stevejazzyb

http://www.alpineaddictsmorzine.com