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Simply Savoie

Guided walking – snowshoeing – via ferrata in the French Alps with Mark Tennent

Cycling

Cycling in Savoie

I took the most of the sunny warm weather yesterday to go out on my bike.? I headed through the small village of Esserts-Blay with the sound of cow bells tinkling from the nearby fields.? The small back road that follows the river Isere was nice and peaceful and there were a few herds of goats in the neighbouring fields.

I crossed under the “voie rapide” (dual-carriageway) that connects Albertville with Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice and went through the village of Tours en Savoie.? Soon I was in the outskirts of Albertville and passing below the old medieval town of Conflans; sadly often missed with it’s old fortified walls.

I took the new (relatively) cycle path that follows the river d’Arly to Ugine after managing to “slipstream” a small motorbike to get some speed!? From here I headed for the Col de la Forclaz (Ugine/Queige) c.900m and started the ziz-zag climb past old chalets and bright green fields with flowers making their appearance.

Another cyclist caught me up and we chatted on the ascent and he turned out to be another “Accompagnateur” (International Mountain Leader) who works in the Beaufortain.? The col was finally attained and a fast, twisty, descent ensued to reach the village of Queige on the road that links Albertville with Beaufort.

The road was quite busy and the twists and turns as it follows the Duron so we had to take care with the traffic.? Soon we were back at Albertville where we parted company.? I headed back towards St Paul via Tours en Savoie and La Bathie followed by a sting in the tail; the climb back to Esserts Blay.

A good afternoon out and about 50km more in the legs plus the climbs.

Cycling around Lac d’Annecy

After a morning completing my French tax return I needed a break!

I set off from my home towards Annecy, passing by the edge of Albertville, Ugine and then picking up the cycle track that uses the old railway line.? Soon I was at Doussard and watching some paragliders coming into land.

Rather than continue on the cycle path I followed the road through some small villages before meeting the track again.? There were people sunbathing on the grass beaches close to the lake; it was in the 30’s but I didn’t see poeple in the water.

I reached Annecy which was thronged already and threaded my way carefully through the centre.? Unfortunately after leaving Annecy there’s no cycle path but I cut off on to some little side roads between the lake and the main road to find some peace and quiet.

At Echarvines there were countless paragliders in the sky under the Dents de Lanfons.? A new section of cycle path is in the process of construction on the narrow, steep road that drops down to Talloires.

The lake shimmered in the sun but now back with the traffic I needed to keep my concentration on vehicles coming up fast from behind.

Finally, I was back at Doussard and picked up the outward route for the return home.? 120 km and beautiful weather and scenery.

Towards the Col de la Madeleine, Savoie

The majority of the big cols (passes) in the French Alps are still closed to traffic due to the winter’s snows not yet being cleared.? With the abundance of snow this winter the openings have been delayed although the Col de Glandon opened at the end of the week.

Pat and I decided to cycle towards the Madeleine, not with the intention of crossing it back to get some exercise and benefit from the quiet road with no through traffic.

The entire climb to the Madeleine is 26 km and the first section rising up in a series of hairpins from Feissons-sur-Isere is quite steep.? After this a turn to the right for the village of Pussy sees an easing in the angle and a chance to relax.? The next village is that of Bonneval en Tarentaise, clinging to the steep hillside.

We could see the new chairlift that connects Cellier with Valmorel and just as we approached a heavy, thundery shower saw us head for some cover that the departure point of the lift could provide.? Thankfully it passed in about 5 minutes and we climbed the last couple of 100m’s to the village.? Sadly the hotel was closed, so no chance to drink or eat something here.

A long descent ensued apart from the tiny “faux plat” before Bonneval.? Down in the valley we soon warmed up and the final climb back to Le Villard had the legs working once more. Always the sting in the tail when I leave from home.

Cycling Races in the Alps this Summer

France and cycling are synonymous with the Tour de France attracting worldwide coverage. Fans come from all over France and the world to watch.

It’s worth being aware when planning your day. Roads are usually shut to traffic several hours before the race is due to pass. It may also be some time after the first riders pass before the roads re-open.

The Tour de France

This summer the Tour is spending just 3 days in the Alps before the final stage 21 in Paris. As a cyclist myself, I raced in my late teens alongside Sean Yates and Tony Doyle (showing my age!), I enjoy watching this great event.

Stage 18 – 17 km – Sallanches / Meg?ve ? there’s not too much detail of this stage on the Tour’s site but it looks like a time-trial.

Stage 19 – 146 km – Albertville / Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc. This looks like a great stage for some attacking climbers. The Col de Tamie above Albertville before a descent to the shores of Lac d’Annecy. The race then goes up the Col de la Forclaz (a paragliders mecca), a steep climb followed by a steep technical descent. The route then follows the valley bottom to Ugine where another short, steep climb to another Col de la Forclaz and the subsequent descent to Villard-sur-Doron and the heart of the Beaufortain. The riders will then go back over the Col des Saisies before heading through Megeve to finish in St Gervais.

Stage 20 – 146 km – Meg?ve / Morzine-Avoriaz ? a mountain stage with a final chance to change the overall standings before the final day in Paris.

Other races this summer

Criterium du Dauphine 5 ? 12 June 2016

Saturday, 11 June ? La Rochette ? Meribel via the Col de la Madeleine.

Tour de l’Avenir 20 ? 27 August ? this race was created in 1961 by Jacques Marchand, editor of the french sport newspaper L??quipe. The competition has been entirely dedicated to young riders between 19 and 22 years old. The Tour de l’Avenir is part of the UCI Europe Tour and the U23 Nations Cup. Therefore, it brings together international teams with riders aged less than 23