Route Napolean & Grande Alps

donnie

donnie

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Hellooo,

I'm currently organising a euro trip for next year to do the Route Napolean, Gorge Verdon, Route des Grande Alpes.

Crossing Portsmouth to Caen then cross country run to Jumeaux (just south of Clermont Ferrand), then over to Barcellonette (probably) for four nights. Three circular day long routes taking in the northern Route Nap, South Route Nap inc Gorge Verdon, and some passes on the third day.

Then heading further north towards Annecy before heading back (last two days). Leaving Friday overnight ferry, returning following Saturday overnight ferry. Ferry is £160 per person based on one person/one bike sharing a 4 berth cabin. Hotels approx £30 pppn.

The guys that usually come on my trips are coming, (three + me), They're a good bunch, 50ish :rob and a lot of fun. I'm happy to take another 4 bikes. I'll be staying in 2-3* local hotels in the main. Milage will be, once across france, 180 ish per day, with nice stops for lunch/ coffee etc... All routes are on surfaced roads.

I'm looking at the last week of May / first week of June at the moment before the weather gets too hot in the south of France.

Let me know if your interested :thumb2

www.flickr.com/photos/haydns_bike_trips
 
Planning to do the same trip myself next year, but was going at the end of June/early July. I was not sure all the Grande Alps would be open May/June?. Unless you know better??
 
I can't say I do. I usually go the last week in June/1st week of July and the weather has always been great but very hot in some of the valleys. Late May might be a little optimistic as quite rightly some of the higher passes may still be closed to bikes. I'm hoping that being further south of say the grand st bernad pass, that they might thaw out a bit sooner. However, I'd leave it a couple of weeks rather than get there and not be able to ride the passes:blast.
H.
 
I'm planning RGA & Napoleon with South African chum next year. - we're probably camping.

Most probably early September. My experience of high alpine passes in May on a bike are not so good!

The routes are epic though, lovely biking roads. Don't miss out on the Canyon du Verdon and Lac de Ste Croix.
 
I've moved the date of this trip to the third week of June so getting the Friday night ferry on 16th June, just in case a couple of the higher passes are still closed at the end of May.:blast

And yes, doing the Canyon du Verdon and Lac de Ste Croix, they look like they can't be missed.

H.
 
Hellooo,
I have finished my tour route/plans for 2012. As previosly mentioned, I've got two or three places still left on this. Currently there are 5 definates and one interested. I have just uploaded a pdf containing the route, where I'm looking to stay, milages, all the passes and route features etc... It's 5mb so I've put it on my site, www.blacktopmotorcycletours.com, then look on the European Tours page. This is a lads week away I'm affraid ladies, sorry, but that's just the way it is:thumb
I will be looking to book this over Christmas/New year, so if anyone interested could let me know by 20th Dec. I'll take people on a first come first serve basis. There's plenty of info and pics on my site, so if you think you'd fit right in with the balding, beer swilling, cantacarous, never wrong about anything, old, and not so old gits, please respond.:thumb
 
Just got back from a trip in that area, we got great weather this time, but the Alps is a bit of a lottery at any time.

Some pics and blurb here:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279972

My understanding is many passes can be closed well into June, but as to if you go in June, July, August or September I don't think it matter much.

I liked the sound of early September as it should have been cooler, but it was still 30+ on the south coast, and then got hotter around the Vercors (Grenoble region) and our hottest day was on the way back where it was up to 34.5c according to the GS as we pulled into Troyes (a few hundred miles further North)

My advice would be go whenever you get the opportunity :thumb2
 
Looks like you had a good trip. I've done the Alps a few times before and always gone either the last week of June or first week of July. Whilst there have been snow banks on some of the highest passes, all have been open, and I prefer being a little cold on high passes than too hot at lower levels. The south of france towards sea level can be very hot July, August and into Sept.
 
New Tour Date: 22nd June 2012

I've moved the tour date back sligtly to accommodate one of the regular guys. The things I do......

Currently there are just 2 places left.
 
There is a superb circuit just east of Grenoble that covers some of the high passes - they are regularly used in the Tour de France and other cycle events. Scenery is terrific, but it's time-consuming to drive. Starting at Vizille, travel east, then north over the Col de Gland on (add the Col de la Croix de Fer if your nerves can cope), then east through St Jean-de-Maurienne and back over the Col du Telegaphe, Col du Galibier and Col du Lauteret (which has a pretty alpine garden and stunning views across to the glacier on la Meije. Right again back down the Romanche valley to finish.
Just checked - about 150km and 5000m total height gain, so it's not a quick detour at all, and not really worth it unless the weather is good and you get the views ... possibly do half of it if you have time heading south?
 
Sounds good, we travelled over the Col du Telegaphe / Col du Galibier and Col du Lauteret on our way down this year - those 3 passes are conveniently in a line (one section of road really) which is well worth working into a route as it packs 3 passes into a relatively short space. In reality it is just the Galibier as the Telegraph leads up to it and the Lauteret is on the way back down (if heading south)
 
mcinlb said:
Planning to do the same trip myself next year, but was going at the end of June/early July. I was not sure all the Grande Alps would be open May/June?. Unless you know better??
Click to expand...

Did them myself in late May/early June this year (see trip report "9 Days solo in france). All clear this year but it can vary year to year. If they are clear you have the added bonus of only seeing one or two bikes at most on any given pass.

Dave
 
Rasher said:
Sounds good, we travelled over the Col du Telegaphe / Col du Galibier and Col du Lauteret on our way down this year - those 3 passes are conveniently in a line (one section of road really) which is well worth working into a route as it packs 3 passes into a relatively short space. In reality it is just the Galibier as the Telegraph leads up to it and the Lauteret is on the way back down (if heading south)
Click to expand...

Yes, supposed to be very good. Not done them before but is on the itiniary, these and another 40 odd passes!:clap
 
One PLace Left

Currently I have 6 people on this trip but looking for one more. Any takers?

Donnie
 
Donnie, I am very interested in joining you if space still available. I will pm you later.

cheers

Andrew
 
Maxed out then. Was going to look into a trip next year after just getting my F800GS but didn't want to go far (Italy etc) so France seems Ok. Is age an issue and what sort of bikes are heading over?
 
Tour Now Closed

Thanks for all the interest in this trip. All places are now filled.:thumb2
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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