RDGA and Route Napoleon Dash 20th June

[Wreford Miles]

Anyway now we've addressed the distraction of explaining we are all very diffrent and it's each to your own can we return to insight and tips on the RDGA?

Giles - Why do you start at Annecy and not Thonon

What's the view on the dotted line options on the map below I'm assuming they are there because they are all worth doing - has any really worth doing bits been left off?

 

[Peirre O`Bollox]

What's the view on the dotted line options on the map below I'm assuming they are there because they are all worth doing - has any really worth doing bits been left off?

If I may be permitted to respond, the dotted routes are alternates with other cols to tick off the list. It just depends and how may you wish to "bag" the alternates may also add time/distance to the route.
As for Annecy, I too started (on both trips) from there as imo the passes to distance ratio was greater, than starting from Thonon. The purists who ride the route will always start from Thonon
The 2nd & more enjoyable time departing from Annecy I ran along the southern edge of the lake and rode up the Col du Forclaz before joining the RDGA

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Wreford I applaud your trip idea,sounds like a proper challenge, followed your last blast across Europe.
Now to answer your last post. You are correct the side dotted lines are extras and all excellent little detours in there own right. Doing them too might add a few more hours to your run. With an extra head torch and a following wind
there was a point where I would have joined you however these days I am an armchair rider.
Have a good one

 

[Giles]

Annecy is a really nice town and a good place to start from IMO. (Don't forget this is him and her stuff). It's just a good start to the holiday, and a wander around the town in the evening. leave UK early, commit to peage all the way and you'll be there by 1700hrs. We nearly always stay here;

http://www.auberge-du-lyonnais.com/

From there I head to Ugine ... then Beaufort .... then Bourg-saint-Maurice ... then yer on track. (Over the top at Beaufort is lovely .. ).

 

[GrinningGSer]

+3 for Annecy, its beautiful lake and abundance of restaurants.

 

[GrinningGSer]

There is an eight page ride report in ABR magazine issue 27 March-April p66-73. " Wise to have plenty of life in your brake pads and carry a spare clutch cable (for those that have a clutch cable)"

 

[Wreford Miles]

There is an eight page ride report in ABR magazine issue 27 March-April p66-73. " Wise to have plenty of life in your brake pads and carry a spare clutch cable (for those that have a clutch cable)"

Thanks for the heads up...

 

[Smythson]

Hi Wreford,

A couple of years ago I used your map in post 61 and basically followed that route. One thing I would say is that there are occasionally road closures for snow / landslides...have a ride around the barrier and check for yourself. I paddled and dragged the bike for some stretches of a few hundred yards which worked out better than some of the large detours. It's hard work but definitely time efficient. If you don't fancy it then ride around having seen for yourself it wasn't passable.

Good luck with the run - it will certainly make for the sweetest of beers at the end.

Best,

S

 

[Norrie]

Can't offer any advice on your Route WM however best of luck on your adventure look forward to your RR when you get round to it.

Norrie

 

[Peirre O`Bollox]

I like early starts, I like to keep moving (ideally I'd like to to the RDGA a in a day, the longest day 21st June) in which case this would become a 4 day trip

Out of curiosity did you manage to ride the RDGA in a day??

 

[Arsey]

Out of curiosity did you manage to ride the RDGA in a day??

I would say not a fuckin chance seeing as it took us 2 1/2 starting at 9 and riding till 6 ish each day,but we'll see what The Man says !!

 

[Wreford Miles]

....took the advice of the wiser and took two days.

Despite what Arsey thinks I'd say it could be done in a day but it would be a long one as you'd need 14 hours sensible riding time plus breaks and I might just keep that idea on my bucket list.

But as others have said there's a lot to see and detours worth doing so nice breakfasts lunch and mid morning and afternoon breaks makes it a pleasant trip over two days but you could easily make it last 3 days.

We stopped in Briancon on the way down, then Nice for the night then back up the the Route Napoleon doing the Gorge Verdon on the next day with an over nighter in Tallard before finishing the route and pushing on to just South of Troyes through some great wine country roads.

The little detour around Digne (recommends above was a cracking route) we also took the left hand option from Digne towards Embrun and then another little detour down the D900c again a delightful road.

 

[Wreford Miles]

Had a great trip up this Col as there was a rally of old 911's and other posh stuff also hairing up the mountain.

 

[Wreford Miles]

...oh and that Map recommended in Arsey's thread is well worth buying as it has both the RDGA and Route Napoleon on one side.

Great for planning and pushing the group on 'right you feckers we've got six folds of the map to do today' although once on the move I was often accused of having my bike in limp mode

Also booking.com was a great aid as you could see how the day was shaping up (folds of the map completed) and then pick a location and book that nights stop.

 

[Arsey]

....took the advice of the wiser and took two days.

Despite what Arsey thinks I'd say it could be done in a day but it would be a long one as you'd need 14 hours sensible riding time plus breaks and I might just keep that idea on my bucket list.

Great pics and yes, I'm sure you could technically ride the RDGA in a day but what's the point,unless you were simply trying to make one !

 

[mcinlb]

RDGA in 1 day, you'd see a lot of road and not much else

 

[Wreford Miles]

David's 'Centre Ville' strategy always delivered a nice lunch

This one was at Orgelet on a lovely little cross country route taking us to the edge of Geneva

 

[roamer]

You look to be having a great trip,, I would be interested in looking into the RDGA, ,
Currently camped up in St tropez area, for another 5 days, trailered bike here as Mrs doesn't ride, just doing days out,
Have a safe run back,,,

 

[Wreford Miles]

You look to be having a great trip,, I would be interested in looking into the RDGA, ,
Currently camped up in St tropez area, for another 5 days, trailered bike here as Mrs doesn't ride, just doing days out,
Have a safe run back,,,

We are already back... From St Tropez you are within reach of the Gorge De Verdon

 

[Wreford Miles]

RDGA in 1 day, you'd see a lot of road and not much else

Not really thought that one through have you, it might not be your thing but to suggest that you no longer see stuff is daft. I can assure you the view from the saddle would be exactly the same as you do not have to adopt a riding style where you no longer look ahead or have to ride twice as fast. It would just be a longer day that's all.

That said having now done the route my preference should I do it again would be to add more to it rather than do it in a day but the challenge of doing it in a day is something that appeals to me so it will stay on my bucket list. You never know I might need a great biking fix and not have much time.