Cycling in the Alps

smurphy29

Myself and a mate are looking at doing 2-3 days cycling in the Alps, taking on a couple of the signature climbs. Can anyone recommend a company for self guided tours and which provides bike rental (good quality carbon bikes), preferably one that encompasses accomodation as well (e.g. equivalent of www.pyreneesmultisport.com/)? I've located www.velovercors.com/ also but it doesn't take in the Alpe d'Huez etc.

Any help much appreciated.

bbosco

I was passing through the Alpes on the way back from a road trip (by car, that is) around Italy and stopped off in Valloire. It's at the top of the Col du Telegraphe and the bottom of the Galibier.
I had brought my gear with me so I simply got up one morning and wandered into the bike shop across from our hotel, rented a carbon Scott CR1 for €15, had them fit my own saddle and had a fantastic half-day riding before hitting the road again.
Others will have better recommendations for a more organised approach to things, but I thought it worth mentioning how easy it was to get out in the heart of the Alpes on a good bike with absolutely zero planning.
We stayed in Hotel Christiania (lovely rooms, friendly staff, free wifi and a mean tartiflette to fuel your exertions) and I rented the bike from Val d'Aurea Sports just across the street (they're a ski shop in winter but become a bike shop in summer).

andy69

i went over last September - rented a bike from a shop which is right at the top of Alpe d'Huez (just at the 'finish line').
I got a Kuota Kebel from them for 3 days - almost new, perfect condition, well maintained etc.

Here's their details I got from my emails from them....

Cycle Huez,
Place Joseph Paganon,
Quartier Le Vieil Alpe
38750 Alpe D'Huez
Tel: [URL="tel:%2B33%20%280%29970405921"]+33 (0)970405921[/URL]
Fax: [URL="tel:%2B33%20%280%29456809692"]+33 (0)456809692[/URL]
www.cyclehuez.com

boege

Have stayed in Morzine and you can hire road bikes (also lots of downhill mountain bikes,if thats your thing). Lots of less famous but still classic climbs on your doorstep here, Morzine-Avoriaz (14km, 7%, 2 routes), Col de Joux Plaine (ouch), Col de Columbiere (ouch, ouch)..

Have been down to Valoire and Alpe d'Huez also. You probably would need to stay in Bourg d' Oisons or Alpe d'Huez if you have no car and you then have to cycle a bit to get to many climbs, other than Alpes d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes. Col did Galibier is 40+km from Bourg d'Oisons, all uphill.....on my bucket list (might be the last think I ever do!)

I have been driving down to the French Alps each summer for over 12 years (me and the lady like the walking), and with bikes for last few years.... Morzine is very multilingual and never full in the summer. You dont need an organiser, or a car, if your staying there for a few days and there is handy bus taxis to/from Geneva airport and some of the hotels will even pick you up for free as the summer season is way quieter than the ski season.

As to bike hire, this chap is 'former english' (his words) and a road bike fan (sat watching tour with him last year). He has Carbon road bikes for hire and his prices were very competitive, compared to others in town.
http://www.bikehiremorzine.com/road.html

lazycyclist

A group of us stayed with these people http://www.tourdoisans.com/ about 3 years ago now.

They are based in Bourg d'oisans which is the town at the base of Alpe d'heuz and not far from the bottom of the Glandon. They have a large townhouse (and I think they have an apartment too) which you have to yourself and they live in the house next door.

They rent bikes too. Back when we were there they were buying in relatively cheap bikes from CRC but I don't recognise the brand on their site now, but they are carbon with Ultegra groupsets.

The main issue when we were there is that they were the only place where you could reserve a bike in advance, so at peak times you could find yourself without a bike if you didn't go through them. There are several bike shops in the town and one on the Alpe itself renting bikes but only on a first come, first serve basis. Things may have changed since then.

Fantastic place to cycle, nearly every road leads to an iconic climb.

smurphy29

Thanks for your help guys. Think we might go with the Vercors option and rent a car if we want to start closer to the more iconic climbs.

megelena46

When you going to ALpes?

I'm going with 2 friends 19th May for 5 days and staying in Bourg. There is a good bike shop there that rents out too and then up Alpe d'huez there is one too. Bourg is great to stay as its so close to Galibier / Les du ALpes / Glandon etc.. its also great if do self catering as large shopping centre not far.

lalorm

This site will give you all you need to know for the major climbs around Bourg d'Oisans. Went there a few years ago without a guide other than the information from this sitewhich they used to send to you in a book. Now they are all online in this site. You can cycle to Alp d'Huez, Glandon, col de la croix de fer, Even the Galibier, but it's a tough 40km climb from Bourg d'Oisan.

http://www.bikes-oisans.com/

Regards
M.