They-they crossed the Alps and they-they tell...
Would you like to introduce yourself?
We're 3 cycling buddies: Benj (35) Fred (38) and me, Hélène (44). The 3 of us live in northern Alsace, between 2 magnificent playgrounds: the Black Forest on the German side and the Vosges mountains on the French side.
What motivated you to embark on an itinerant cycling trip in the Alps?
Two years ago, Fred and I did a we cross the Vosges by bike. It was a great experience, and a good test of how to link up passes while touring. All we wanted to do was do it again!
I then set out to tackle the Pyrenees, a project called "Py'Cols 2023". I already had the idea of continuing with the Alps the following year if all went well.
This didn't fall on deaf ears: on my return, Benj contacted me, then Fred quickly joined this project, which we named "Al'Cols 2024".
Which route did you take and why?
We opted for the classic Route des Grandes Alpes®, departing from Thonon-les-Bains. A 7.5-day journey to be precise!
Why? To do all the legendary Alpine passes...
How did you get organized?
Bike packing and credit card! By car to Thonon, bike and panniers to Nice then back by train to collect the car. We had booked all the accommodation in advance and stocked up on daytime supplies.
What's your best memory? Worst?
The best: la Cime de la Bonnette, a long, silent ascent, the mountain imposing itself a little more with every twist, a growing sense of serenity and a breathtaking finish both literally and figuratively.
The worst: Aravis day, Saisies and Cormet de Roselend- freezing in the rain, no view, pool in shoes, fingers frozen from not being able to pass on the big plateau. It was becoming an obsession: to get the day over with!
Your trifecta of passes?
L'Iseran, le Galibier and the Cime de la Bonnette: perched at over 2000m, they have to be earned. With their long ascents, they offer a wide range of incredible scenery and hoist us into an almost lunar setting at the summit. Welcome to planet bike!
A story to share?
After the dreadful day of rain, we couldn't dry all our gear properly: overshoes, socks, leggings and gloves macerated in the panniers all the following hot day. Not to mention the smell of the shoes! We spent the night in a dormitory in Aussois, I don't think they can rent it out anymore!