They-they crossed the Alps and they-they tell...
Could you introduce yourself?
We're Irene and Víctor, a Spanish couple with a passion for the mountains and a love of the Alps.
What motivated you to embark on an itinerant bike trip through the Alps?
After having covered several of the Santiago de Compostela routes, we were keen for a new challenge. The prospect of following an itinerary with so many elevation changes particularly motivated us: it was an opportunity to test our limits, to discover the Alps in a different way, and to experience an adventure that was both sporting and personal.
Which route, and why?
We chose the Route des Grandes Alpes because the idea of climbing these great passes motivated us enormously... with the desire never to go back down the same side to find the car! Climb one side, descend the other, and do it all over again, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean: that's what appealed to us.
We covered the route in 12 days, from Geneva-Thonon to Menton-Nice. Our aim was not to break any records, but to make the most of each stage and the beauty of the roads. One of our fondest memories was climbing the Cormet de Roselend via the Col du Pré. An experience we'd recommend 100%!
How did you get organized?
We carried all our luggage ourselves. Irene had a road bike equipped for bikepacking, with a large bag on the seatpost and a bag on the handlebars. Victor had a gravel bike with classic panniers on the rear and also luggage on the seatpost.
Your best memory? Worst?
It's hard to choose the best memory, there are so many. But if we had to choose just one, it would be the climb from Beaufort to Cormet de Roselend via the Col du Pré.
The worst memory is the climb to the Col Saint-Martin, it was very hot and seemed very long.
Your trifecta of passes?
1. Col de l'Iseran from Bourg St.Maurice and descent to Bonneval. It's endless, never-ending. From Val d'Isère to the summit, it's impressive. And the descent is magnificent.
2. Col du Galibier. There's not much to say about the Galibier that hasn't already been said. It was my seventh time up, the fifth since St.Michel de Maurienne... and we'll be back.
3. Col de la Colombière. The first big pass, 7 very difficult last kilometers!
Ane anecdote to share?
For the anecdote, I remember that the harder the pass, the better Irene did. On the "easiest" passes on paper - Aravis, Saisies, Col Sain-Martin (even Castillon!!) - she was rubbish. But you had to climb the Col du Pré, or the last few kilometers of the Colombière, or the interminable Iseran... and there, she flew!!