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Cycling in the Alps

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  • February 22, 2015 at 5:59 pm #23338
    road

    Hi all, after some advice for a novice alpine cycle. I’ve booked a sportive in St Chaffrey and some accommodation, so no problems there. Not worried about the sportive, if I’m on a bike I’m sure I can tough it out if I need to, OK, I’ve got no idea what’s really in store as I’ve never done anything like an alpine climb but hey, how hard can it be!!
    Travel is another thing, my plan is Eurostar to Paris, swap stations and pick up the TGV to Oulx, and then a train to Briancon and then a bus or taxi to the apartment. So any advice/tips on the travel plan? I can’t book tickets yet as they seem to only do 3 months in advance. So if anyone has done a similar journey any tips will be gratefully received.

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  • February 23, 2015 at 4:04 pm #833157
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    thesaladdays

    bashthebox wrote:That sounds

    bashthebox wrote:
    That sounds like an expensive and slow route! I’d fly to Geneva and hire a transfer to take you from there…. oh, I just checked the map. Quite a long way from Geneva! Erm. Fly then hire a car? Might still be cheaper and more useful…

    Or fly to Torino, it’s just over 100km from Briancon, a breeze on the motorway.

    Changing trains in Paris can be a hassle if you’ve got a load of bags and a bike in tow, unless you were planning on cycling between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon! B-)

    February 23, 2015 at 3:24 pm #833155
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    davidgray968

    If I remember correctly the
    If I remember correctly the TGV has restrictions on bikes. I think they have to be in a case and it has to be of a certain size – you may struggle with some bike cases – check the website – use Google Translate for anything that is in French (ie most of it!)
    The best way is to fly out and hire a car – make certain it is big enough to take the bike though. It is quicker and gives you more time to ride other than the sportive.
    We are driving down in the summer and stopping off in Dijon which is about 4 hours drive from the Bourg d’Oisans area. The best bit is the hotel will let you take the bike in overnight, so no worries in the morning. Check hotel availabilities as a lot of people do the same and once you get into June it is very difficult to get a room so that may influence your travel decision.
    Either way have fun and enjoy the ride and plan your next trip soon as you will definitely be going back!!

    February 23, 2015 at 1:17 pm #833153
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    Zermattjohn

    That train/bus/taxi trip
    That train/bus/taxi trip sounds like it would be hard work – add in a bike bag/box (I assume) and it sounds pretty challenging! If you can afford it, fly and get a hire car (Grenoble, Turin, Marseille all about 2-3 hr drive) – or drive the whole way. As others say you can take a break as and when. There is usually a transfer you could arrange if you want to fly but not drive, though it might be pricey.

    It’s always a mission to get there, but it’s all worth it when you roll out on your 1st ride, with (hopefully) the sun on your backs….

    February 22, 2015 at 9:21 pm #833151
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    wellcoordinated

    Never tried it but a friend
    Never tried it but a friend of mine said it was great. Might be worth a look.

    http://www.bike-express.co.uk/Tour/Med_A_Out_with_any_Return_inc_Atlantic/PickupPoints

    February 22, 2015 at 9:10 pm #833149
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    chiv30

    Self drive from the UK ,
    Self drive from the UK , Dover to Dunkirk is about 90 quid return then either use the motorways and pay about 50 quid in tolls (avoid Lyon/Paris stretch) or use the “A” roads

    Me and my brother have done the trip from south Wales to bourg d’oissans a number of times and did the way mentioned above as its cheaper and easier plus you get to stop as and when you want to

    Btw in regards to alpine climbs count on an hour minimum for most up to about 10 mile if not longer , there is simply nothing in the UK that can compare imho

    February 22, 2015 at 6:54 pm #833147
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    bashthebox

    That sounds like an expensive
    That sounds like an expensive and slow route! I’d fly to Geneva and hire a transfer to take you from there…. oh, I just checked the map. Quite a long way from Geneva! Erm. Fly then hire a car? Might still be cheaper and more useful…

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