3 days in the Alps or similar - Recommendations and advice

[croftsj]

I'm thinking of taking 5 days in the French Alps or similar to do a few Cols/mountains/epic climbs. A day to get there 3 days riding and a day to get home. It's a solo trip before I start a new job after what can best be described as a difficult period with my current employer (they're about to get the good news I'm resigning on Thursday the c**ts) I need to blow off steam and decompress big time.

Where should I head for? I don't really want long drives in between each days riding so if I can stay in the same place and ride out from there every day that would be perfect.

Any suggested areas to head for that meet this criteria?

Time period mid-end May so hopefully most passes open.

Thanks PHers.

[richardxjr]

Bourg d'Oisans, at the foot of AdH.

[croftsj]

Nice, thanks, just had a quick Google and that seems to do the trick AdH & the Marmot can be ticked off.

[Moaningroadie]

+1 for Bourg. If you need B+B accommodation, try Kevin and Delphine at Cycling Ascents:
http://www.cyclingascents.com/
First class set up, great local knowledge and Kevin is very fit should you ask him to ride with you.

[richardxjr]

Go as late as poss. Galibier is likely to still be closed into June, should be luckier with CdeFer & Glandon.

My recommendation: as well as the tourist climb up AdH, do the balcony road. Allemond (with a quick detour through Vaujany & up Col du Sabot if you like, steep, beware the gravel) - Vilard Reculas - Huez - Auris.

A beautiful quiet climb up through the forest then the single track (but well surfaced) road clings to a 1000m sheer drop above the valley either side of Huez, with famous views of some of the 21 bends below. Awesome.

[Mark83]

richardxjr said:

Bourg d'Oisans, at the foot of AdH.

Went there last year to tick off the Alpe. You're not too far from this year's Etape route and the climbs on that. Galibier, Telegraph are also nearby.

[mcelliott]

Another one for Bourg d'Oisans - on and off I've been using it for the past 15 years for holidays/training. I'm off there next week but staying at the top of ADH; however if you're planning to go in May, it's worth checking out Camping La Cascade right at the base of ADH itself - it should be open at the start of May, and the prices should be reasonable too. The chalets are really well appointed. Most of the passes should be open - the only one that may not be, is the Galibier but there are loads of other routes you could use instead.

http://www.lacascadesarenne.com

La Cascade is a great base to access all of these climbs.

http://bike-oisans.com/en/cycling-oisans/oisans-mo...

[croftsj]

Marvellous, thanks people.

[craigthecoupe]

sorry to hijack, but were going in june, and staying in la grave, does anyone know if it's any good? it doesn't look far on the map to Adh, but maps don't always tell the whole story.....

[richardxjr]

La Grave is alright. Very pretty although it's a fairly busy road it's on, on the easy climb up to Lauteret, its FAST down to Bourg via turn offs to 2Alpes and Venosc. Perfect to get home to after Telegraph & Galibier.

It's not as well placed as Bourg though imo. 20 mile climb back up from Bourg (it's alright descending but a slog going up at the end of the day dicing with the traffic) so you may prefer to leave transport at Bourg on days you have rides ending there.

[craigthecoupe]

thanks for that.