They-they crossed the Alps and they-they tell...
Ludovic, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Ludovic Garbit, I'm a teacher in the small village of Juvigny in Haute-Savoie. I live in Saint-Cergues not far from the start of the Route des Grandes Alpes® in Thonon. I'm passionate about sport, mountains and photography.
Why a touring crossing of the Alps?
After a few years of cycling up and down the passes around my home, I felt like linking my different passions. That's why I decided to take up this challenge, combining performance with the pleasure of taking photos on these roads, each more beautiful than the last.
Which route did you take and why?
I set off from home, near Thonon les bains to reach Nice via the RGA® passes and Menton.
I divided my itinerary into 8 stages:
- J1: Saint-Cergues - La Giettaz - 94 km and 2200 m of D+
- J2: La Giettaz - Villaroger (Sainte-Foy Tarentaise) - 92 km and 2500 m of D+
- D3: Villaroger - Aussois - 90 km and 2500m D+
- D4: Aussois - Briançon - 96 km and 2400m of D+
- D5: Briançon - Barcelonnette - 100 km and 2700m of D+
- D6: Barcelonnette - Beuil - 85 km and 2500m D+
- D7: Beuil - Col de Turini - 83 km and 2700 m of D+
- D8: Col de Turini - Nice via Menton: 103 km and 2000 m D+
The last stage was supposed to be shorter, but a change of route forced me to lengthen the last stage. I tried to do the main passes and pass through the places that interested me for photos, which meant I had to make a few small detours. In the end, I covered around 750km for just over 17,000m of ascent.
How did you organize your trip?
I chose to organize myself and set off alone to live this experience to the full. From now on, I'd like to do this "ride" again, sharing it with friends.
As for luggage, everything was on the bike for the first 4 days. I was equipped with 3 panniers (clothes, repair and drone) as well as a small backpack to carry a little more water with me. From Briançon onwards, my companion followed me by car and was able to lighten my load a little.
For food, I stopped at bakeries (I still salivate when I think of the cookies in Barcelonnette or the blueberry tart in Aussois). I had a few fruit jellies with me, but hardly needed them. 3 months before leaving, I was followed by a sports nutritionist who helped me prepare. I only had one slump on the whole course.
I chose my accommodation well in advance (hotel, gîte, inns) and booked everything weeks in advance. I'm not the type to set off without knowing where I was going to sleep in the evening!
I'm not the type to set off without knowing where I was going to sleep in the evening!
For transportation I left the house and drove home!
Your best and worst memories?
My best memory is passing the Roselend dam. I love that place, it's so beautiful. The arrival in Menton is also very special. When you arrive at the seaside, a very special emotion comes over you.
Joy mingles with pride, but you're almost disappointed that it's over! My worst memory is the heatwave. What a slap in the face coming down the passes and into the valleys. The contrast between Cormet de Roselend and the finish in Bourg Saint-Maurice was brutal.
I also didn't like the climb up to the Télégraphe. there are so many of us on this road that we're in the exhaust pipes of the cars going up and in the smell of dying brakes from the camper vans coming down. Fortunately, the Galibier behind us is magical!
Your trifecta of passes?
The Cormet de Roselend from the Col de Méraillet. How beautiful!!!! The lake, the mountains, the cowbells, the blue sky! It's magical!
The Izoard and the passage through the deserted Casse will remain a great moment. What a feeling to be tiny next to this grandiose mineral environment. This pass also gave me a chance to practice my English when I stopped to help out some foreign cyclists who'd broken their chains. Everyone was able to climb to the top and it was great fun!
In third place I'd put the Col de la Cayolle from Barcelonnette for its quiet, wild side.
Ane anecdote to share?
After just 1km, my chain played tricks on me by getting stuck. I managed to unblock it very quickly, but on the Col de la Colombière I felt that it wasn't running smoothly, and my gears were changing on their own, which isn't very pleasant...
After switching to the Grand-Bornand side, I stopped at a bike rental shop who kindly agreed to help me out. He saw how close I was...well, one link away from breaking my chain. He was able to fix it for me, and I didn't have the slightest problem for the next 700 kms.