1 Week Tour in the Alps in late May

Morning all,

A plea to you communal wisdom.

I am planning a week of touring in the French Alps towards the end of May.

Plan 1. Catch the train to Geneva then head to Annecy, Val d'Isere, Briancon and Bourg d'Oisans before catching the train back from Grenoble

Plan 2. Catch the train to Grenoble then head to Bourg d'Oisans, Briancon, Embrun, Die and then back to Grenoble through the Vercors National Park.

Anyone have any experience in this area? All suggestions and pointers greatly appreciated!

It'll be awesome, but be prepared for the fact that the very highest roads will not be reliably 'open' until at least late May, and it could be as late as mid-June. So anything like the Iséran, Galibier, maybe even Izoard will be touch-and-go. It might put some rather large impediments in your route…

You can't go much wrong with either of those routes, although the road between the Bourg d'Oisans and Briancon is a major thoroughfare and can be quite busy at times. There are also a number of long-ish tunnels in the first 10 kms from Bourg that can be a bit intimidating on a bike. If you're coming from Briancon though, you barely notice them.

The Vercors is a hidden gem, lots of very scenic climbs and very quiet roads with little traffic.

Thanks for the replies gents. Much appreciated. I did have concerns about some of the roads being closed. It seems that the general consensus is that the chances of the Iseran being open in late May are rather slim which is a shame.

Lots of snow this year, check the 2012 opening days.
Last year lots of snow Galibier opened in June.
Like this:
http://botanic26.over-blog.net/article-ouverture-galibier-106366642.html

Last year Gilibier and Iseran opened begining of June.
Lots of snow this year.
You can ride some and turn back, it's beautiful and very quiet.

Looks like this
http://botanic26.over-blog.net/article-ouverture-galibier-106366642.html
Try south Pyrénées?

lots of useful information in this thread dude ;-)

http://www.lfgss.com/thread22522.html

Think I've done more or less the same route, Izoard and d'Huez etc. Fucking awesome fun. You'll have a great time. Camped in some seriously incredible spots in the Alps.

Again, thanks for all the tips. Trains booked to and from Grenoble. General consensus seems that relying on Iseran and Galibier being open in May would be rather fool hardy. Exciting stuff!

Here are the places who will keep you updated on the colour of the roads:
http://www.savoie-route.com/savoie_route-carte_de_la_circulation-1.html
and
http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/diri/Accueil.do?langue=fr
go to the
"Accès aux cols"
ligne,not working now, being updated for the weekend I guess .
Keep a mediterranean option in case the weather fouls up during your hols.

Again, thanks for all the tips. Trains booked to and from Grenoble. General consensus seems that relying on Iseran and Galibier being open in May would be rather fool hardy. Exciting stuff!

Russell Standring's excellent Grenoble Cycling Pages are worth checking out, and he usually updates on when the higher passes are open.

You may be lucky, the snow will go quickly if there is any consistent warm weather. The Giro is due to have a stage finish at the summit of the Galibier on the 19th of May, and one imagines they've researched when its been clear in previous years first.

That is just the type of reassurance I need!

This website has access to some webcams along this route

http://www.inforoute05.fr/wir3/cameras.html

Waffle,

as andyp said, road from Bourg d'Oisans is busy and a bit meh.. Recommend you head up towards alpe d'huez to the sixth hairpin bend and get on the balcony road.. This takes you towards Le Grave views are amazing and little traffic.. after col du lauteraut its a fast spectacular road to briançon. Good luck.

Sounds perfect. Will keep that one in mind.

Now that I have decided where I'm going, which bike to take is the next decision.

The first option would be my Long Haul Trucker that has seen me through many a tour in the Pyrenees, Spain and the UK. Reliable, comfortable and rather dull. If I went down this route I would camp.

The less sensible option would be to take the road bike. Riding it for the first time this year today sans mudguards reminded me how much more entertaining it is to ride than the Surly. I am rather tempted to stick a saddle bag and handlebar bag on it, stay in cheap hotels and take a bit more pleasure in the cycling itself.

What would you? (I love these kinds of dilemmas!)

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Another twist ;) ?
Light bike trailer :
http://www.extrawheel.com/

• road bike.
  Heavy stuff stays at the bottom, you and the road bike shooting up the hills.
  
  

The target list is updated dayly on this ;
http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/acces-aux-cols/listecols.do?nom=&codeDpt=0&massif=ALPES&typeCol=X&langue=fr&pager.offset=25

Currently 3 m of snow around 2000m , avalanche risk 3.
Looks like this under the road :)
http://www.skitour.fr/sorties/pic-blanc-du-galibier,49667.html#sortie

to me that's a no brainer... you are touring some of the best climbs in the alps. Take the road bike and do it in style!
Yes, it is annoying (and more expensive) to have to deal with accomodation,etc. but you'll get to enjoy the climbs way more. You'll get better rest and a much better climb experience. If you plan in advance, you don't have to spend a fortune either.