Route des Grande Alps

[Homer1968]

Folks im looking to do this route in July. Realisticly what time frame do you think from Evian to Barcelonnette. Dont want to make it and endurance test and will want some comfort breaks. Ive planned 2 days for this but ive got a 3rd day to spare before i need to be in Castellane. is this manageable or should i re book my castellane camp site

cheers

 

[Bikerjim]

I did this a couple of years ago and lived in Morzine

If your new to touring 3 days and take it nice and easy

If your a speed freek 2 days

Enjoy

Jim

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

We rode about half of it in a day - picked it up near Grenoble, rode down to Sospel near the coast. It was doable, but it was dark by the time we got to Sospel and the descent into the town is a whole series of steep proper hairpins, and I get the feeling we might have missed some decent scenery. So I'm sure it's achievable in two days, but if I was doing it again and had the choice, I'd take three days.

The Southern half is a tremendous road, by the way. Haven't ridden the Northern half.

Have you seen the website: http://www.grande-traversee-alpes.com/en.html

 

[Giles]

We did menton to Annecy in two days. Last day was a long one but great roads ...

 

[Rasher]

Heading the other way later this year, what roads are those in the pictures?

 

[Wapping]

Two days is fine, three days is a doddle.

It really does depend on you and what you want to do / how often you want to stop / what time you want to start off the day and end.

As requested, I have sent you a Mapsource route via your email address.

 

[Homer1968]

Cheer Wapping, ive replied to your e mail

 

[Giles]

Rasher .....


http://www.der-bikerclub.de/touren/2008.03.seealpen/Anfahrten/route.des.grandes.alpes.gif


http://www.trackandroad.net/images/roadbooks/grandes_alpes/grandes_alpes_fullsize.jpg


Col D'Izoard is a must - amazing luna landscape.

The southern half of the route is much more rugged and un touristy (the photo's you were saying which road is that..), which personally I prefer. The latter, northern half takes in all the big passes and has better, smoother faster road surfaces.

 

[ebbo]

Three very enjoyable days riding down. Then maybe ride back on the Route Napoleon?
I wrote up our trip here http://www.ebbo.org/routegrandalps2005-1.php

Col du Galibier

Col de la Bonnette

Col du Turini

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Col de Turini, that's the descent down towards Sospel. Looks lovely - I'm sure it is lovely - but in the gloom, with a GS standard headlights, after a second consecutive very long day in the saddle, it isn't quite as appealing as it might have been!

I think this features in the Monte Carlo rally.

If you head east from there into Italy, you hit the Col de Tende. The very top bit is catered fro by a tunnel, with alternatve traffic controlled by traffic lights with t along, long wait. There is a VERY twisty pass that stays overground all the way, but we didn't know this at the time we were there. I'd love to know what the twisty bit is like.

 

[Rasher]

Thanks, we will be covering a few of these roads this year, did some last year as we stayed in the Martigny / Mont Blanc region for a few nights.

Roll on summertime

I'd love to know what the twisty bit is like.

Just get a copy of any Fast Bikes video from the 90's and it will be featured, I have a ZZR11 Vs Blackbird Vs Busa video showing a very irresponsible Shakey Byrne powersliding a Busa around some if the passes hairpins.

 

[1964Hall]

I'll be doing this as well this year.

I'm meeting up with some chums in Thoron-Les-Bains on Sunday 3rd July and we are working our way South on the Grand Alps route over 3 days most likely. We intend to take in some other roads off the main route in we have the time and inclination.

I can't wait.
\v/

 

[Homer1968]

Thanks for the advice chaps( And map source Wapping ). My route is planned over 3 days with camp sites booked in Chamonix,Briancon and Barcelonnette. Im then off via Castellane up the route Napoleon. My only observation is how expensive some of the camp sites are round Annecy. 35-40 euros in peak season. And to think i was camping to save money.Lol

 

[franco]

40EUR?? Ye can get a hotel in Annecy for that. There are plenty other decent enough campsites all over the area. Annecy is a beautiful town, no doubt about it, but if you find a site 5-10kms outside it (not on the lake) you must be able to get somewhere cheaper...Try here

 

[Wapping]

Yup, Annecy ain't the cheapest place.

It's touristy / scenic, so they crack the prices up. More rural sites will definitely be cheaper.

 

[Giles]

Nice place

I remember a few years ago being served by a dishy bohemian waitress in a restaurant in Annecy. She honked of body odeur. Really strong! But like the old pheremone / body smell science, there was this weird paradoxical yin yang thing going on in my nose, and I couldn't get enough of it. Wow she was horny .... .

 

[luke scott]

What site in Castellane are you staying in ? We used http://www.camp-du-verdon.com/gb.html before and were really pleased with it. Its the best site in the town. We had a great time in the gorge du verdon with a group of SAS guys on a training holiday. They were windy about the Irish connection at first but then became great friends & treated our kids really well.

 

[Homer1968]

Booked to stop at Camping International in Castellane. Looked on the internet at both sites and wasnt much in it. I think the one i booked might have been cheaper, thats the only reason i picked it