Irene & Víctor, two Spaniards conquered by the Alps

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%!

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!!