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Guidebook to cycling the 720km Route des Grandes Alpes through south-eastern France. From Lake Geneva to Mediterranean Nice via numerous high Alpine passes, taking in the Vanoise, Écrins and Mercantour National Parks, the route is challenging, although entirely on roads. However, with plenty of charging points, it is well suited to eBikes.
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
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A guidebook to cycling the 720km (447 mile) Route des Grandes Alpes through southern France. This long-distance cycle between Lake Geneva and Nice on the Mediterranean coast is suitable for experienced long-distance cyclists and can be cycled in 1-2 weeks.
Map key
Overview map
Route summary table
Ride planner
Alternative schedules
Introduction
History of the Route des Grandes Alpes
Connection with the Tour de France
Natural environment
When to go
Riding in the mountains
Bike selection and preparation
eBike riding
Touring options
Accommodation
Food and drink
Getting there
Getting around
Getting back
Safety and emergencies
Using this guide
The route
Stage 1 Thonon-les-Bains to Cluses
Stage 2 Cluses to La Clusaz
Stage 3 La Clusaz to Beaufort
Stage 4 Beaufort to Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Stage 5 Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Val d’Isère
Stage 6 Val d’Isère to Val Cenis Termignon
Stage 7 Val Cenis Termignon to Valloire
Stage 8 Valloire to Briançon
Stage 9 Briançon to Guillestre
Stage 10 Guillestre to Barcelonnette
Stage 11 Barcelonnette to Valberg
Stage 12 Valberg to Saint-Martin-Vésubie
Stage 13 Saint-Martin-Vésubie to Sospel
Stage 14 Sospel to Nice
Variants
Variant 1 Saint-Jean-de-Sixt to Villard-sur-Doron
Variant 2 Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne
Variant 3 Val Cenis Lanslevillard to Briançon
Variant 4 Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to Col du Lautaret
Variant 5 Guillestre to Barcelonnette
Variant 6 Jausiers to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée
Appendix A Bike shops and Bosch eBike charging stations
Appendix B Recommended cycling essentials checklist
Appendix C Useful resources and essential information
Appendix D Glossary of cycling specific terms
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We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).
Giles Belbin is a cycling writer and author based in southwest England. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Cyclist, Ride Cycling Review, Cycling Weekly, Procycling and Rouleur. He first rode his bike in the French Alps in 2006 while watching the Tour de France, falling off his bike near the top of the Col du Galibier in exhaustion. He has been a frequent visitor since and in 2012 spent two months riding in the mountains while researching his first book Mountain Kings. The research trip for this guidebook offered an opportunity to revisit some favourite climbs as well as discover some he had not ridden before, with the Col de la Cayolle and the Col de Turini among his first-time highlights.
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