Away Days 26
We love cycling around the Aravis and Haute Savoie. The seemlessly unlimited options for loops around 60-100km never gets dull. However, there is a whole world out there and each year we do try and get to these over awesome places.
May, June and September are great for getting away. The roads are not full with tourists, motorbikes and you can escape the full summer heat (although the fresh window seems to be diminushing each year).
A fantastic, mythical achievement. Never gets old. Always tiring!
We had two banging Away Day trips this June. The first was a return to Malaucene at the foot of Mont Ventoux in the Provence. Staying yet again at the wonderful Domaine des Tilleuls. We had 18 lads and lasses from Ripcor join us for a weekend of cycling and Rosé.
The beauty of the area is that it has routes that caters for all experience and fitness levels; however, when you have Mont Ventoux looking down over you, it seems rude not to give it a little tickle. So the first day was a loop up and over Ventoux. The challenge of the weekend. Everybody tamed it and then it’s always a pleasure to have lunch in Bedoin over the other side at La Pista Cafe.
Day 2 was 100km around Mont Ventoux in the rolling countryside. Its eastern flanks are pretty wild with stunning views and lavender fields (although we were slightly early for the purple explosion). We then had the pleasure of descending through the Gorge de la Nesque, which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful roads in France. This time, we really lucked in, as the road had been closed for a cycling event which had just finished so we had the tarmac all to ourselves!
Ventoux is always watching, no matter how hard you try to get away from it!
We spent the evenings checking out the local restaurants in Malaucene, there is a real cycling vibe there which is quite infectious. The final day before the coach left for Marseilles Airport was a loop around the Rhone vineyards, cycling through Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Vaison la Romaine. We really did only scratch the surface.
10 days later, we were welcoming more cyclists but this time to do our Tour of Mont Blanc. Starting and finishing in our cycle centre near Le Grand Bornand we headed off for 4 days to take on some truly epic climbs. The route was literally up and down.
It is tempting to list all the cols that they conquered but that would be a little dull! The important takeaway is that they are long and stunningly impressive. The route spans three countries. The first night was in the Hotel Forclaz just in Switzerland, right in the high mountains. It was cool to stroll out of the Hotel to find hidden and camouflaged fortifications which were there to protect the country back in the day.
Heading off after the Swiss hospitality. Next stop Italy!!!
We then headed to the Aosta Valley crossing the Grand Saint Bernard and onto the mountain village of Saint Nicolas. This is a picturesque place overlooking the huge valley from Mont Blanc down to Turin. We met a group of French trail runners here and although we knew we were on a challenge, felt sorry for them running 4 days in the heat and steep terrain.
Apres Bike beer in Saint Nicolas, Italy
Day 3 was slightly easier and felt like a bit of a rest. It was just one climb, and we stopped in a cafe built over a waterfall before the day's main proceeding! Picnicking at the top of the col before headin to Bourg Saint Maurice and the cool , Base Camp Hotel. There was a live band in the evening and we woke to the best breakfast of the trip. Knowing there were, only, three cols to go!
Summertime vibes in France before the final 3 cols…
It was a fantastic group of VCT regulars and all though strangers at the start, certainly all left as friends,it was awesome.