Easiest way to cycle over the Alps?

Húrin

Hey all,
I'm having a crazy idea to cycle to Italy in the Autumn, since I'm concerned that economics will prohibit me from going abroad next year.

I want to cross the Alps but since I'm not a great cyclist, I would rather take the lowest possible route across the mountains, rather than visiting the famous TdF monsters!

So what would be the easiest mountain passes to use, o experienced touring cyclists? Can you cross from one side of the Alps to the other in a day?

I would really rather not go via Nice.

thanks

hunkymonkey

alright Huirin, it depends what part of Italy your going to. I've cycled a fair bit in alps. A lot of northern Italy is industrial, so quite boring. A route i did a couple of weeks ago was Munich to Dubrovnik (850miles in 8 days), going over alps. I took easiest route as doubling up by going to wedding so looked at easiest route(?) over alps as carrying my gear. Going from Salzburg to Spittal der Drau then Loibtalpass (sp?) then over to Trieste would take 2 days at approx 100miles a day. There 3 main climbs, up to highest is 1750m but hardest is middle one up to 1650m (4k of it is 19%) first time i've had to walk on a climb. Doing a big loop of main climbs in Italian and Swiss alps in two weeks so will know more about those routes then if ya want info on those. Would recommend to fly to somewhere closer to Italy as cycling from Ireland to halfway thro France or similar would be fairly boring (i.e. Flat)

G-Man

Lots of different routes from north to south, the ones I know doing it mostly aim with mountain bikes, as You avoid a lot of car based traffic.

Doing "transalps" is a huge thing at least in the German speaking cycling world, see this for just an intro

http://www.transalp.info/english/index.php

Watch for the weather that late in the Year... This year lots of places still had snow in July. Id say most tours are done by mid september. By road bike of course You may not go as high and maybe not meet snow, but still prepare for all weathers..

Maybe try and go as part of a tour with a group, that way there is some support and there is always one who as doen it before, who will know the best routes.

What dates and approximate locations are You aiming for... (Memmingen a ryanair destination is in easy reach for the northern starting point.)

Húrin

hunkymonkey wrote: »

alright Huirin, it depends what part of Italy your going to. I've cycled a fair bit in alps. A lot of northern Italy is industrial, so quite boring. A route i did a couple of weeks ago was Munich to Dubrovnik (850miles in 8 days), going over alps. I took easiest route as doubling up by going to wedding so looked at easiest route(?) over alps as carrying my gear.

Going from Salzburg to Spittal der Drau then Loibtalpass (sp?) then over to Trieste would take 2 days at approx 100miles a day. There 3 main climbs, up to highest is 1750m but hardest is middle one up to 1650m (4k of it is 19%) first time i've had to walk on a climb.

Doing a big loop of main climbs in Italian and Swiss alps in two weeks so will know more about those routes then if ya want info on those. Would recommend to fly to somewhere closer to Italy as cycling from Ireland to halfway thro France or similar would be fairly boring (i.e. Flat)

Thanks for the tips.

I am thinking of going to Venice to see the the biennale.

I will certainly be road biking!

blorg

Note the Alps are not the only hilly stuff on the way, the Massif Central is also very hilly (as I discovered accidentally.) Bear in mind that constant up and down even if shorter can be as bad as climbing over a mountain... If specifically looking for flat you will need to plan your route very carefully. Google Maps terrain and Mapmyride with elevation would help here.

Húrin

blorg wrote: »

Note the Alps are not the only hilly stuff on the way, the Massif Central is also very hilly (as I discovered accidentally.) Bear in mind that constant up and down even if shorter can be as bad as climbing over a mountain... If specifically looking for flat you will need to plan your route very carefully. Google Maps terrain and Mapmyride with elevation would help here.

I'm not looking for flatness blorg! I just don't want to get myself into mountains that I might not be ready for. Nor do I want to get into mountains so high that there is already snow.

Húrin

I found one on the Austria-Italy border, the Reschenpass, only about 1500m up. Might use a route like this.

(I'd be getting the train to Troyes in order to skip 500km of the flat parts of France as hunkymonkey advised - also I don't have unlimited time to do this)

PS, when Google estimates travel times do they assume that one would be walking/driving non-stop? I can't imagine anyone walking 958km in eight days!

hunkymonkey

Looks like a class route. I'll double-check on my maps (stored at home) to see if bikes allowed over that pass, some of the passes restrict bikes from them due to tunnels, so bring lights! (some cops take a v dim view of this, unlike here where they'll let ya away with a ticking off, I've got serious grief from them a couple of times which meant I'd be late arriving at destination. If the hills are putting ya off, there is lovely cycling around Rimini (Marco Pantani country), take in some of the Nove Colli route (Italys version of the W200) and the countryside is fantastic.

Not sure if you've done much point to point cycling before but some tips would be:
Decide before ya go how much mileage approx each day, rest day etc.
Have a destination for each day
Book accom 1 day in advance, if you've internet on your phone, thats the best.
Take v little . One set of clothes, chargers, toothbrush and paste. If you have panniers on the bike you'll only fill them with rubbish that ya won't use. (unless ya plan camping) A front bag for the handlebars, is all that really needed, I put my sandals in a v small bag and have it on my back or stuck in back jersey pocket.
Bring gear for brutal weather that can be disposed off if not needed, e.g. v old cycling jacket
Have someone at home on the internet who can book accom if any problems (Mr Skeffington is also handy on the computer as well as bikes, got me out of trouble a couple of times!)
If doing high mileage every day, I find that sightseeing isn't really an option. So gotta decide if want a sightseeing trip or training trip. Would think 60-70miles a day is most you'll get away with trying to take in sights as well, especially if cycling day after day. e.g. Just think of going to see St Kevins monastery in Glendalough in middle of W200, ya wouldn't give a sh1te!
Have good maps! Stanfords.co.uk is a great place for maps, nothing like being able to fold out a map to give you a general picture of route. Don't take a photocopy and leave original at home, met someone who had and they couldn't tell the major and minor roads apart.
If ya need any other info let me know.

Húrin

Thanks monkey! I've done one tour in France before and one tour in Ireland. I agree that those are good tips.